The boss, Me, deploys her Torkoal, the volcano-tortoise, the savage strains of her theme song kicking up as the battle begins in earnest. I send out my Primeape, hoping that its strength and the fury coursing through its perpetually-enraged body will keep it standing long enough to take down this shelled menace.
Angry monkey noises ensue as Primeape pummels the Torkoal with its Rage Fist attack, utterly curbstomping the tortoise Pokémon, before starting on the Starmobile like it’s suddenly making a guest appearance in a Street Fighter stage.
The Starmobile manages to outst my Primeape, though, and I’m forced into sending Gabite to finish the job. Me finally admits defeat, and I pant, fmes flickering in the grass as I keep my eyes fixed on her.
“Ugh… is this really how it’s gonna end? What a hassle… I burned through everythin’ I had… and now I’ve sputtered out. Guess this is where it ends… that team of yours really let us have it. Beatin’ me in battle is a huge deal. So here- take this Star Badge and be proud of yourself!”
I take the badge, pinning it to my bag next to Giacomo’s. Me crushes my hand in a ferocious shake. “You got what you came for. Now leave me alone.”
Clive approaches. “You’re Me from Team Star, right? There’s a Pokémon I’d like you to see.”
Me turns. “Huh? Who are you s’posed to be?”
Charlos joins us. “Fwoo!”
The fme-haired girl frowns. “A Charcadet? Wait…”
“Foo-foom!”
Me smiles despite herself. “Well, if it ain’t Charlos! What’re you doin’ here?”
Clive gestures at him. “It seems he came to this base looking for you.”
“Fwoo!” Charlos agrees.
Me blinks. “You did…?”
Clive shrugs. “He’s very attached, isn’t he?”
Me chuckles softly. “Yeah, ‘cause I used to py with him every day back when I was still goin’ to school… I can even tell more or less what he’s thinkin’ by lookin’ at the way his fmes move.”
Clive leans in a little. “Do you have any idea why Charlos wanted to visit you…?”
“Foo-foom!”
Me turns away, going silent. Charlos runs around to Me’s front. “Foo-foooooom!!!”
Me looks down at him. “Charlos…”
Clive looks steadily at the girl. “To me, it looks like he’s saying that he wants you to come back…”
“Just shut it already, would ya?”
Clive presses the issue. “They say Team Star has holed itself up in these bases to plot something against the academy. Were you aware of this?”
Me shrugs. “First I’ve heard of a stupid rumour like that. Man, nothin’s changed since back then… everyone’s still spoutin’ garbage.”
Clive raises an eyebrow. “Then what about that modified car you were motoring around in just now?”
Me frowns. “The Starmobile? We made that thing a long time ago to help us out with a big fight. But we never actually used it against anyone until you two came lookin’ for a fight.”
Clive strokes his chin-beard thoughtfully. “You never… used it before? And what’s this about a big fight?”
Me folds her arms. “You ever heard of Operation Star?”
Clive pauses. “Operation Star…? Not Operation Starfall? No, this is the first time I’m hearing of it.”
Me shrugs. “Huh. Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t know… but for me and the rest of Team Star, it’s a memory we’ll always treasure.”
I leave them to it, heading outside the base, to get in touch with Cassiopeia. If she’s really observing us somehow, she’ll call me-
Ro-to-to-to-to!
Yep, there we go.
“Carmina. It’s me. I take it that Me’s Star Badge is now in your possession?”
I nod. “Yes, I’ve got it right here.”
“I see. Now that there’s no boss to lead them, the Schedar Squad should colpse on its own……… oh, Me…. Sorry, I got distracted for a second there again… now, about your reward. I’ll transfer some LP over to your account, as promised.”
6,000 LP arrives, and I also get more TM recipes.
“Use those TMs to strengthen your Pokémon even further. I’ll have my supply unit rep meet you shortly to deliver some bonus materials, too.”
She hangs up, and I lounge against the gates, waiting for Penny. She arrives about twenty minutes ter.
“H-hello! It’s me again, from the supply unit…”
Koraidon pops itself out of its Pokéball. “Agias!”
“Wah! What the heck-?!”
Koraidon chirrups, nuzzling the two-tone girl, before starting to lick her face.
“Hey, stop that! S-somebody heeelp!!!”
I try in vain to get Rairai to stop, but it doesn’t knock it off for half an hour. Eventually, it gets bored and curls up to take a nap. Penny whimpers in distress.
“Blech… it drooled all over me. What even IS that Pokémon, anyway?”
I shrug. “I have no idea.”
She blinks several times. “Huh? I’m amazed you’re so calm with a giant question mark of a Pokémon at your side. Ah, um… before I forget, here’s your reward.”
She hands over another caseful of materials for making TMs, and I tuck them away.
“Um… your name’s Carmina, right? Since you’re part of Operation Starfall’s battle unit, can I ask you something?”
I nod. The question she poses me is not what I expected.
“What do you think of Team Star?”
I pause. “Well, I don’t really know. The bosses are pretty strong, but I feel like they’re… not really trying to start trouble. Giacomo said they’re all waiting for the Big Boss to come back, but other than that, they don’t seem to be actively going after anyone…”
Penny bites her lip. “Interesting… you know, some of the rumours say Team Star wasn’t always a bunch of delinquents. Most of them used to be victims of bullying, or they just found it hard to interact with people… but then these misfits and outsiders found each other and banded together to form Team Star. All they wanted to do was push back against the bullies they couldn’t face alone… but, uh, that’s just info I got by hacking other students’ social media accounts. I also found talk about some secret mastermind behind the five bosses. The one who recruited them to the team in the first pce…”
She coughs slightly. “Hm. I don’t normally talk this much. Now my throat kinda hurts… so, um… good luck-with taking down the other bases and stuff.”
Penny turns and leaves. I sweat a little. She hacked other people’s social media? Thank god I don’t have anything like that anymore… I’d hate for her to find out about my past without me knowing…
I check my map. Which Gym should I take on next? Medali? Levincia?
After checking the internet and taking note of the suggestions, I set out for Levincia, where I’m supposed to take on Gym Leader Iono. On my way, I battle more Trainers and wild Pokémon, trying to give myself the best chance of winning. After Kofu and Me, I really don’t think I can go in underprepared. Developing some new strategies might just give me an edge.
It’s about two days’ travel from the Fire Crew’s base to Levincia, and I manage to make it on the evening of the second day. My pills are starting to run low, and I make my way to a pharmacy, resupplying on the different medicines I require. Thank Arceus for mom putting the paperwork in my bag, or I’d have trouble getting what I need.
After breakfast, I head outside of Levincia to continue training, determined not to lose. Failure must not be an option. If I have no option, now that Ms. Geeta’s expressed interest in my talents, then I have to get so strong that NO-ONE will dare to mess with me.
Primeape evolves into Annihipe, Gabite becomes a Garchomp, and I make the decision to Fly back to Los Ptos to catch a male Ralts, pnning to make a Galde for my team. Once I have what I went back for, I resume to training in earnest, wanting to make my team as strong as possible.
Eventually, three days ter, my team is as strong as I can reliably make them without pushing them to injury. We take the next day to rest and eat well. One week after we first set foot in Levincia, we’re ready. I approach the Gym, steeling myself for anything that may happen.
My team is strong now. Lucario, Annihipe, Garchomp, Skeledirge and Magnezone, each a powerful Pokémon in their own right, combined into one, are a formidable force, one to be reckoned with! I push the doors open, entering the Gym and taking a deep breath. Nemona isn’t here, though. Two others, one I recognize, are.
“Well, now! Carmina!” it’s Mr Hassel! He approaches, beaming.
“You appear to be progressing well on your Gym Circuit.”
His companion, tall and slender, with long, dark green hair, a single lock standing wild atop their head, approaches. It’s hard to get a read on them, since they’re dressed in bck scks and a grey shirt, with suspenders.
“What’s this, now? Is this that young dy I’ve been hearing so much about?”
Turning to me, they smirk. Not aggressively, more like a cat, curious and full of mischief.
“Hey, kiddo! I heard you’re like, way too good at battling! Yeah?”
I shrug. “Not THAT good…” I say, trying not to sweat. DAMN you, Nemona! Or Ms. Geeta, depending on who told this person about me! I don’t want strangers hassling me for battles! I DON’T WANNA BE FAMOUS! ;-;
“Pah! You can’t fool me THAT easily. No need to py humble, you hear?”
Hassel crifies. “This young dy would be Rika.”
I blink. She’s such a bishonen, it’d be easy to call her a prince! She’s got the same bearing as the love interest in an anime I watched recently!
“That’s me! Rika here, at your service!” she waves, her bck-gloved hand long-fingered and elegant. Damn, she’s my type, too…
“And hey, I know I’m pretty, but no need to get intimidated or anything.” She adds.
Aaaaaaahhhhhh! Get out of my head! 0.0
Mr Hassel coughs awkwardly. “She IS a little… farcical, shall we say. But like myself, she IS a member of the Elite Four.”
Rika arches an eyebrow. “What? I wasn’t tryin’ to be funny… Aaanyway…. Hmmm. Tell you something, kiddo. YOU… look fun. Like, interesting. At a gnce, anyway.”
Mr Hassel nods proudly. “Naturally. She is one of our academy’s esteemed students, after all.”
Rika’s lips curl in a satisfied smile. “Oooh, hahaha. Yeah, that checks out. But the battles you’ll face at these Gyms really ratchet up the farther you go.”
The art teacher nods. “Indeed. Your average Trainer abandons the challenge at roughly this very point.”
Rika’s piercing chocote eyes narrow, fixed on me. I can feel my heart racing as she studies me intently.
“But not you, right, kiddo?”
She rexes her intense gaze and slips her hands into her pockets. “I’ll see you when you hit the Champion Assessment. You show these Gyms what you’ve got!”
She starts sauntering out. Mr Hassel inclines his head. “Best fortunes to you.”
As he leaves, Rika sticks her head back in through the Gym doors. “By the way… you’re pretty cute yourself! Seeya!”
As she vanishes for the second time, I feel the blood rush to my cheeks and I almost sink to my knees. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Women pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shaking my head frantically, I clear my mind and focus on the battle ahead. Gym Leader Iono… what kind of opponent am I up against?
The League staffer at the reception greets me. “Welcome to the Levincia Gym! Challenger Carmina, yes? Looks like you’re ready to undertake Gym Leader Iono’s test…. And, here at the Levincia Gym… that means starring in one of Iono’s streams!”
I go pale. “Oh, no…. is there no other way? I REALLY don’t want to be on camera…” I expin, but the staffer shakes his head, smiling. “Nope! You have to take part, or you won’t be able to face Iono!”
Sighing, I turn and unenthusiastically slope outside, before I’m half-blinded by lights flicking on, followed by a cutesy voice.
“Ladies aaand gentlemens! It’s time for the Iono Zone!”
Someone pops up beside me from out of nowhere. A girl with long hair, in pink and metallic steel, two Magnemite accessories in her hair, wearing a huge yellow and bck jacket over a mesh top.
“Hey, hey,heyyy! Your eyeballs are MINE- caught in my Electroweb! Whosawhatsit? Iono! I’m the Gym Leader here! ‘Ello, ‘ello, ho! Ciao and bonjour!”
She waves, her hands covered by about a foot of excess sleeves. I swallow my nerves, tamping them down, and paste a smile on my face, mimicking her.
“’Ello, ‘ello, ho! Ciao and bonjour!”
The girl presses her hands together, trembling in excitement. “Oh snap! Look at you- already a master of Iono-ese! Not your first rodeo then, eh? And, uh… I hope this doesn’t come as TOO much of a surprise, but you’re bein’ broadcast live to the world right now! Smile!”
I pale, but keep my smile fixed. It certainly feels more like a grimace, though.
“Anywho, challenger! Thanks for coming out to the Levincia Gym to see me! I’m super happy you’re here, but I’m also a bit of a celeb, ya know? I’m all kiiinds of busy! So, I can’t colb with you unless I know you can bring me in those sweet, sweet viewer num-er, I mean, I gotta make sure you can bring some real passion to my stream! Nyohoho!”
Iono bounces from side to side.
“And! So! If you wanna battle me, you’re gonna have to help me make this livestream a viral hit first! Got it?”
I nod. Iono beams, showing sharp, Sharpedo-like teeth.
“I can tell you just can’t wait to get started! Well, well, WELL then! Allow me to expin the pn! Come on out, Mr. Walksabout!”
She pirouettes, gesturing theatrically. I gawp at the approaching individual. “Mr Cvell?!”
“Oh, Carmina. What a coincidence, meeting you here.”
Iono jolts like she’s been stung by a Beedrill. “Say whaaat?! D’you guys know each other or somethin’? This here dude had a real aura about him when he was walkin’ down the street, so I snatched him up for my dealio here!”
Mr Cvell clears his head awkwardly. “You are, er, too kind. Ha ha ha…”
Iono ‘points’ at me. “Anywho, Carrrrminaaaaa! Since you’re today’s challenger, I’mma have you py hide-and-seek with Mr. Walksabout here! Look for the good gentleman using the street surveilnce cameras! Find ‘im three times, and you can consider this Gym Test passed! We need a better name for this challenge, though! I’ll call it… “Where in Levincia Is Mr. Walksabout?”!”
She whispers loudly, “Y’think that title’s safe? There’s nothing iffy about it or anything, right? Eh, whatevs!”
She raises her voice. “I dunno ‘bout you, but I’m ready to go! Get ready to hide, Mr. Walksabout!”
I blink, looking curiously at the Director.
“I feel that I owe the Pokémon League for many a past favour, so I am more than happy to help. Do bear with me as I try my best in my allocated role.” Mr Cvell sprints off like a high-speed power-walker.
A few minutes ter, Iono whoops, “Mayhap our dapper gentleman is ready?! Heyyy, Mr. Walksabout! You good to go?”
A faint cry comes from somewhere. “Yes, I am!”
Iono hands me a tablet. “Nyohoho! Ready he be! Mr. Walksabout is hiding somewhere in this video feed, friendo! Open those eyes wide like a Magnemite and get to searchin’! Ready or not, here our challenger comes!”
While I look down at the tablet, Iono pans one of her cameras over my shoulder, recording. I carefully observe the scene. A normal city street, with people pying with their partners, grown-ups chatting, and… “There!”
I point at one of the tables with umbrels. Sitting at it, is ‘Mr. Walksabout’.
“Ding-ding-ding! Bingoooo!” Iono whoops. “Our challenger has found Mr. Walksabout! Wowzah! You did it! You’re one cool dy! WELL THEN… before we move onto the next round, let’s make things a little more interesting! You get to have a battle with one of my fans! Get out here, ya silly Poké maniac!”
Someone barrels onto the scene, yelling. “The Iono Hype Squad is here! Long live the Iono Zone!”
His Luxio is no match for my Garchomp, a single Dragon Cw fttening it as I blink. So fast! I’d barely seen my pet ndshark even move!
“Win or lose, Iono Hype Squad foreverrrr!” he runs off again, and I turn to Iono.
“Aaand you win! Well done, challenger friendo! Time for a change of scenery!”
She grabs me by the hand and tugs me along like a balloon, and I let her do as she likes. The sooner I finish this, the better.
“Here we go! The next stage for my totally rad test! Everybody loves it! It’s the Pokémon Centre! Mr. Walksabout is once again hidin’ in the feed somewheres! Panic! Ahhh! Find ‘im quick!”
She thrusts the tablet back into my hands, the camera once again looking over my shoulder. This time, I spot ‘Mr. Walksabout’ almost instantly, standing behind the counter at the Pokémon Centre.
Iono cps her hidden hands together. “Mr. Walksabout’s been found once again! Yesss! I knew you were somethin’ special! Let’s spice things up again before movin’ on to ye olde next round! That’s right! Iiit’s another Pokémon battle! Get out here, Poké Maniac pal!”
Another Trainer dashes up. “Miss Iono’s watching! I can’t lose!” He deploys his Pokémon, a Tynamo. I have Garchomp use another Dragon Cw, putting the fish out for the count, before a Faffy takes the stage. I command, “Dragon Breath!”
The Faffy keels over, eyes spiralling in confusion. Victory!
The Poké Maniac grins. “Well, you know what I haven’t lost to you in? My devotion to Miss Iono!” he jogs away, and the streamer appuds, her jacket sleeves filing.
“Aaand you win! Well done, challenger friendo! There’s no stoppin’ ya! Master of seekin’ and master of battlin’! You’re the real deal! Allllll righty, then. Time for a change of scenery!”
She pulls me through the streets again, and I find myself, after a few minutes, in an arena.
“Ze st stage will be this pce right here- the battle court, where battles are a-ragin’! Can you find our Mr. Walksabout among these randos? Let’s find out! Readyyy? GO!”
She thrusts the tablet back into my hands, and the camera takes up its over-the-shoulder position. I study the video, before I spot a figure down on a boat beneath the suspended battle court, wearing a familiar red-and-white suit.
Iono drags me back to the front of the Gym.
“Woo! My subscriber numbers are on the rise like a super-fast Eelektross crawlin’ outta the ocean! Er, I mean, congratutions on passing my Gym test! Hot diggity dang! What a good time, huh? You had people on the edge of their seats worldwide! I bet I could have some suuuper rad streams by colbing with you, Carmina! So, heyyy, when you’re ready, just hit up my lobby staff! They’ll get you all set up to colb with me lickety-split! I’ll be ready to go whenevs!”
I nod, sprinting inside and letting my face rex for a few minutes. Iono is certainly intense. After I’ve rested my face and my cheeks have stopped hurting, I get approved to battle Gym Leader Iono, the Supercharged Streamer.
Out on the battle court, I find my opponent. I’d deliberately kept from using Bulldoze, holding that little secret back in reserve. Iono’s Electric-types are in for a rude awakening!
“Ladies and gentlemens! Are you readyyyyyy?! Your eyeballs are MINE- caught in my Electroweb! Whosawhatsit? Iono! ‘Ello, ‘ello, ho! Ciao and bonjour!”
Spinning in pce, she throws her arms wide. “It’s time for the Iono Zone, everybody!”
She turns to get me in the shot. “Today’s challenger is flyin’ high like a Wattrel! Iiit’s Carmina! Yayy!”
I flinch as she zooms in on me. “How’re ya feelin’ about this battle, Carmina?”
I swallow, before huffing. “Like I can’t lose!” better to seem like I have enough personality for this, even though I rrreeeaaaallllyyyy don’t like being on camera.
“Hey heyyy! We got a lively one here! You’d make a great influencer, friendo! Alright, then! Who’s ready to see me kick some butt?”
I hear a ‘cha-ching!’ sound-effect, and Iono cheers, “Looks like you’re all getting’ hyped! Ah… Thank ye muchly, Electro King, for your superchat!”
She bounces into position, still performing. “Let’s get this show on the road! How strong is our challenger? I ‘unno! Let’s find out together!”
The battel begins, and Iono sends out a Wattrel, a bird-like Pokémon, which I smack down with a Dragon Cw from Garchomp. Her next partner is a Luxio, which gets the privilege of receiving a Bulldoze. The Ground-type move sends the Electric Pokémon flying, rolling across arena as Garchomp roars.
Iono deploys a THIRD Pokémon that isn’t her ace, which I Bulldoze again, trying to make sure I do this as fast as possible. Finally, the st of Iono’s team is ready.
“Oh noes! This isn’t good! I need to be powered-up! Give me your cheering, loyal fans!”
Her Mismagius takes the field, and I grit my teeth. Mismagius has Levitate, which makes it immune to Ground moves! That puts the kibosh on my Bulldoze!
“Dragon Cw!”
“Come forth, shiny li’l lightbulb! I’m not done yet! Iono Power, go!” She Terastallizes her Mismagius, but, before it can react, Garchomp unleashes a full-speed Dragon Cw, and Mismagius flies across the length of the arena, smming into the wall.
“You’re as fshy as a 10,000,000-volt Thunderbolt, friendo!” Iono reels, her mouth hanging open in shock.
Turning back to the camera, she throws up her arms. “Our challenger came out victorious! Well done, Carmina! I hate to say it, but I lost! Thanks for cheering’ me on anywho, loyal fans! Well then! What does our challenger get for beating me- the lean, mean, streamin’ queen? I’ll tell ya! Carmina, you win… a Gym Badge! Woohoo! Screencap this quick! This’ll be a shot you’ll wanna save in your brainspaces forever!”
Pulling a pose, Iono gives me a Look, and I mimic her stance, before she hands me the Gym Badge. Pinning it to my blouse, I smile at the little quartet of Badges. Halfway there…
“If any of you found our electrifying battle to be –bzzzt! - Shocking, go smash that subscribe button! Your eyeballs are MINE- Caught in my Electroweb! Whosawhatsit? Iono the Supercharged Streamer! Catch y’all ter!”
The stream ends, and I sigh, sagging. I feel like I’ve aged a thousand years. As Ii make my way back inside to get a drink of water and unwind, I’m met with a familiar face.
“Oh, Carmina! Ho!” Nemona scampers over. “Caught you just as you finished up in here, huh? Nice work! That puts you four badges in now, right? Man, that’s awesome! I can’t believe you’re halfway through your Gym journey already! Your efforts are bearing so much fruit so quickly! It makes me… wanna just challenge you to a battle, right here, right now!”
She sighs. “But… I’m gonna have to wait. ‘Cause I put together my team of Pokémon specifically to take on the Gym Leader. .. Dang it! When I battle you, I wanna do it under the best possible conditions! Which means that, this time, I’ve gotta ask for a rain-check. Guhhh, this is the WORST timing ever! I’m so sorry, Carmina- Gwak?!”
I throw myself into Nemona’s arms, shaking, as the stress of going through Iono’s stream finally catches up all at once. Her arms wrap around me as she pulls me over to a bench. I can feel myself threatening to cry, and gulp, loud enough for Nemona to hear. She hugs me tighter, rubbing my back as she tries to comfort me.
“Hey, if this is because I can’t battle you yet, don’t worry; I’ll be ready before you know it!”
I shake my head, and then sniff. “I had… to be on-stream with Iono… and…”
“You won, though, right? Was it that hard?” Nemona asks softly, and I feel her stroking my head.
“Not the battling… I… I hate being… on camera, but… I couldn’t just fight… the Gym Leader… without the Gym Test…”
Nemona stiffens, and then holds me closer. “I guess it’s something really difficult to deal with for you, yeah? Don’t worry, I’ll stomp her for putting you through this, chica, I promise. Do you… want to talk about it? We can step out of town if you need space.”
I sigh. The closer I get to the Elite Four, the more likely I’m going to end up on camera. It’s probably for the best to come clean about… me.
“Y-yeah, okay… please?”
Nemona pats my back. “Okay, let’s go, then.”
