Arven sends his Scovilin, a twin-headed Pokémon that looks like a chili-pepper bush on legs, into battle, while I set my Gyarados on it again.

  “I’m gonna use the Scovilin I caught nearby to seize a real spicy victory! This is gonna burn!”

  My Gyarados makes good use of Hydro Pump, while the Scovilin uses Scary Face, before I exhale. “Alright, time to stop holding back. Gyarados? HYPER BEAM!”

  Gyarados draws in a huge breath, before an even more potent ray of intense, blinding light shoots forward, the Great Tusk reeling and crashing onto one side, going still and limp, breathing heavily, as its energy runs out, even the power of the Herba Mystica unable prevent a crushing defeat.

  Arven and I share a high-five. “Yesss! We did it, Arven! That was a way scarier than I thought it would be!”

  “Yeah! But now that Big Ugly is taking a nap, we can go looking for the real prize! Let’s give the pce a once-over before it wakes up!”

  We charge into the dark cavern, and, within minutes, the familiar glow of a little shrub lights up our view. Arven reaches for his book as I wait eagerly to find out what this one will do.

  “Ok, Sour Herba Mystica is chock-full of nutrients and is great for boosting your overall health! Says here that it works wonders whether you’re tired physically or mentally. Perks you right up!”

  Closing the book, Arven rolls up his sleeves. “No time to waste- let’s get some food going!”

  Arven sets up shop, and the sounds of madness fill the cavern briefly.

  “Sorry for the wait! Here’s a super-healthy sandwich that’ll perk you right up once you eat it! Plus, as a token of our friendship, here’s another Titan Badge!”

  Pre-empting its usual trick, I release Koraidon from its ball. It perks its head eagerly.

  “Gias!”

  I hand over the sandwich, as Mabosstiff gets let out for his own meal.

  Arven’s care and love for his partner is evident, and I smile, watching the big doggo eat with more appetite than before. It seems that he’s really recovering!

  Arven’s eyes sparkle. “Oh-ho-ho! Would you look at that! Seems like someone’s got a proper appetite now!”

  Over with me, Rairai’s making the usual snarfing, chomping noises, before letting out a cry. “Agiaaas!”

  I smile. It already looks stronger. How on earth does it look so different from the worn-down Pokémon I met a couple of months or so ago? Arven nods approvingly. “Seems like that fellow’s also slowly regaining its original strength. Still… doesn’t look like it’s even close to returning to its battle form…”

  Koraidon seems to slump a little, as if depressed.

  “Giaaas…”

  Arven studies the strange creature. “I mean, it seems healthy enough physically… maybe it’s got some kind of mental block that’s preventing it from returning to its true form?”

  I blink “A mental block?”

  Arven nods, rubbing Mabosstiff’s head gently. “I’ve read about it in books before. A mental scar. Like psychological trauma, you know? I think that’s what you call it. Maybe it had a terrifying experience in battle, and now it’s scared to battle at all?”

  I look down. “Maybe. I have a feeling that you’re onto something.”

  “Well, don’t worry! I’m sure both that brute AND Mabosstiff will make a full recovery eventually!”

  Arven turns to his good boy. “So, how do you feel, Mabosstiff? How’s that Herba Mystica working?”

  “Ruuuf…”

  Arven sighs. “Not like it’s fair to expect every Herba Mystica to have some huge effect, right? And it’s not like the effect has to be immediate, either.”

  “Ba-ruf…”

  Arven’s hand rests on Mabosstiff’s head. “Hey, it’s okay! Don’t worry! Carmina and I are gonna make sure you’re right as rain! We’ve got one more herb to go… and I bet it’s the best of them all! It’s… it’s just gotta be.”

  I move up and pet Mabosstiff gently. “I’m sure we can do it. You hang in there, Mabosstiff. Just a little longer, okay?”

  “Bruf.”

  While Arven cleans up, I make my way out of the cave, and head to Zapapico. Just a short distance away, I find the Navi Squad base, home to the Poison Crew. Clive’s there, and we exchange a brief word. His goal is to find out why Team Star is so adamant against returning to school, and what led to these circumstances.

  I approach the front gate, where there’s a young boy arguing with the grunt on guard duty.

  “Look, do me a favour and go home already, will ya?”

  “NO! I wanna see the boss of the Navi Squad! Take me to Don Atticus!”

  “Like I said, kid, the boss told me not to let ANY outsiders past these gates! That includes you!”

  The young boy shakes his head. “I don’t care! I’m not leaving until you let me talk to Don Atticus!”

  Exasperated, the grunt lets out a groan. “Gimme a break, you little doofus…”

  I shrug, and walk straight up. Whatever’s happening, it’s not crucial to my goal of walloping the Navi Squad’s boss.

  “Helloooooo!” I warble, going out of my way to attract attention.

  “Huh? Oh great. Here comes another rando to ruin my day.” The gate guard groans again, turning to me. “I didn’t think grunt work for Team Star newbies would be this much of a chore…”

  The small boy holds a hand up. “Hold on, Mr. Grunt! I think this dy might be Carmina!”

  The grunt pauses. “Wait… Carmina… that woman who picked a fight with Team Star?!”

  I fsh a V-for-victory sign. “Prepare to be raided!”

  The grunt looks nervous, even under his scooter helmet and star-shaped goggles. “Hoo-boy, this ain’t good! Everyone else in the base is still asleep since we were up all night pying video games…”

  The small boy steps forward. “Leave her to me, Mr. Grunt! I’ll buy some time for you to go wake the others!”

  Wait, what? Why?!

  The grunt tilts his head. “Yeah? And what’s in it for you?”

  The kid huffs, “Don Atticus will be in danger if no-one’s here to defend the base! I owe that man my life! He’s my dear compadre! And when crisis calls, one has no choice but to rally to those dear to him-no matter the cost!”

  The grunt tilts his head back. “Yeah, I have NO idea what you’re on about, kid. But thanks for the big assist!”

  The grunt runs off, and I turn to the little kid. He gres up at me, trying to be intimidating.

  “Alright, you vilin! If you’re after Don Atticus, be prepared to face my wrath!”

  I shrug. “Well, if you insist, I will NOT hold back. Bring it on!”

  The small boy begins hopping around madly, hurling a Pokéball out. A Gulpin. Gyarados makes quick work of it with a Chilling Water, and then Garchomp moves out to take the field.

  The young Trainer sets a Shroodle on me, but Garchomp’s Bulldoze puts the opposing Pokémon down for a nap.

  Clive runs up from his perimeter search.

  “Carmina, are you alright? I was just finishing up when I heard a ruckus all of a sudden. I got worried that something had happened to you.”

  The small boy groans in dismay. “Argh… no fair! You had backup this whole time!”

  Clive pauses. “Is this boy one of the academy’s students? He doesn’t LOOK like he’s from Team Star…”

  The boy sighs. “You’re right- I’m not from Team Star… but Don Atticus is my compadre! I have to see him no matter what!”

  Clive crosses his arms. “Well, clearly you have your reasons for being here. Carmina… I’d like to ask this boy some questions. You go ahead and get started on the base.”

  He turns to the small boy. “Might I borrow you from a chat, my, ah… my man? Don’t worry- I won’t bite.”

  As the two students step away, I hear my Rotom Phone ringing.

  Ro-to-to-to-to! It’s Cassiopeia.

  “Nice work dealing with the guard. Within that base lies Team Star’s poison crew… the Navi Squad. Their boss, Atticus, designs the outfits for the team. You could say he has clever hands. The guy’s also… a bit of an eccentric. You can never tell what he’s going to do next. So, since it’s beyond us to predict how he’ll respond to our decration of war… just take out as many of the squad’s Pokémon as you can until Atticus shows his face. Time to wipe the Navi Squad off the map!”

  Making my way through the main gate, I send out Garchomp, Annihipe, and Lucario, beginning the process of kicking up a huge fuss. Much the same as the st times, it takes about twenty minutes of complete bedm for the grunts to give up and go get their boss to avenge them.

  A dark purple Starmobile revs out of the base’s biggest tent, a menacing vibration kicking up as a warped, twisted melody begins pumping through the speakers. The boss is some… paint-spattered ninja cospyer, whose inspiration seems to be a puddle of poison or an oil-slick.

  “Pray forgive my sudden entry. ‘Tis I, Atticus! You’re that scoundrel, Carmina, I take it? You have some nerve baring your fangs at Team Star come then, vilinous wretch! A plunge into grim poison shall be your well-deserved fate. En garde! ”

  I ready my Pokéball, as Atticus sends out a Skuntank, a foul-smelling beast. Garchomp’s test move is a sneaky one, and I command it, “Dig, Garchomp!”

  With a few movements, Garchomp buries itself beneath the earth, leaving the Skuntank utterly perplexed, until Garchomp surfaces, right beneath it, the force of its emergence unching the hefty skunk Pokémon several metres into the air. It crashes down, unable to recover. Atticus sends out a Revavroom, trying to regain control of the flow of battle. Dig protects Garchomp from receiving any damage, and it burrows out from beneath the Revavroom, sending it flying into a tree.

  Atticus’ Muk glops forth, and I give the signal for Bulldoze, Muk eating the full force of the attack and leaving the Navi Starmobile as Atticus’ final line of defence.

  Dig and Bulldoze leaves the Starmobile a ‘Star-no-longer-mobile’.

  Atticus begins filing his head as he cries out. “Forgive me, my friends!”

  I give him a few minutes to calm down. Eventually, he dismounts and approaches.

  “For the sake of the team, I would give my very heart and soul… but I cannot defy the rules. Our code must be obeyed. And so… this badge is mine no more. I entrust it to thy care.”

  With a bow, Atticus hands over his badge, and I pin it next to Me’s on my bag.

  “Carmina is thy name, is it not? You have bested me. But thy victory stir’d no bitterness within me- such was its brilliance.”

  “Don Atticus!”

  The young boy from the front gate approaches, with Clive in tow. Atticus turns.

  “My compadre?”

  Clive csps his hands behind his back. “It seems this little fel has been dying to speak with you face-to-face.”

  The small child pleads, “Don Atticus, please! Hear what I have to say! I only need a moment!”

  The highly-visible ninja adjusts his mask. “Whatever brought you all the way here?”

  “I came to help you! If you don’t start going to css again, you’ll be expelled from the academy, right?”

  “………” Atticus goes silent, looking away.

  The boy continues, “When the other kids at school and I were getting bullied real bad, you and the rest of Team Star saved us! Thanks to that operation you carried out, we were all able to go to school again! If you got expelled for being the good guys, that’d be the worst thing ever!”

  Atticus’ one visible eye widens. “Forgive me…”

  The boy asks, “Haven’t you heard anything from the Big Boss?”

  “Nay, we’ve heard not a whisper since that fateful day… without the Big Boss, Team Star cannot carry on… and without the team, the bright and merry student life we seek lies beyond our reach! We’ve no choice but to defend our bases until the Big Boss returns to us!”

  Clive questions, “You evidently trust this Big Boss of yours a great deal. Who exactly are they?”

  Atticus sighs. “In truth, not one of us has met them in the flesh. By their own admission, they are a recluse. As with the rest of us, ‘twould seem bullying was to bme.”

  I murmur, “That’s awful…”

  Atticus folds his arms. “Though their name and face be unknown to us, they are nonetheless our precious comrade. Our only choice is to maintain our vigils from the bases, awaiting the day of their return.”

  The small boy looks troubled. “That expins why you don’t go to school. But… but still! Don’t ever think that Team Star is all you have, Don Atticus! You’ve got a lifelong companion in me- and don’t you forget it!”

  “My compadre… I owe you a great debt.”

  Clive adjusts his pompadour. “It seems we’re one step closer to the truth behind Team Star’s truancy- and the bullying at the academy. But more importantly… I can’t believe I had no idea about these issues the students are struggling with… they have friendships they hold dear, and reasons for acting as they do. I just couldn’t see it. It’s shameful how oblivious I’ve been.

  Atticus sighs, “Haaaah… I believ’d Team Star to be the one and only treasure in my life… methinks I may have been mistaken.”

  I leave the base, and wait for my call.

  Ro-to-to-to-to-to!

  “Carmina…. It’s me. Atticus’ Star Badge is now yours, then? I see. Now that its boss has been taken down, the Navi Squad’s days are numbered…. Now Atticus, too… sorry, I’ve got a lot on my mind right now… so. Operation Starfall. You’ve taken down all but two bases, so it’s fair to say it’s going well. This seems like a good time to let you know what we’re ultimately aiming to achieve. Our final goal… is to defeat the mastermind that first recruited the five squad bosses and created Team Star. The one they call the Big Boss.”

  I frown. “Who IS this Big Boss?”

  “Who knows? They control the five squad bosses from the shadows… that’s all anyone can say. If we defeat this person and get them to decre the team disbanded, that’ll be it for Team Star. Since the Big Boss never set up their own base and keeps their identity hidden, I take it they’re not one for the spotlight. But once all the squad bosses are out of action, the Big Boss’ll finally have to take the stage. Now, about your reward. I’ll transfer some LP over, as usual.”

  My account is credited with 7,000 League Points and some more TM recipes.

  “My supply unit rep should be with you soon.”

  About half an hour ter, Penny arrives, just before sunset.

  “H-hey there, Carmina…”

  “Hi, Penny.”

  “That, uh… “

  “Agias!” Koraidon appears, and immediately begins licking Penny’s face again.

  “Aaaaaaaaargh!!!”

  Sometime ter, Koraidon is curled up and I help to towel Penny’s face and hair dry. She adjusts her gsses. “So, that mastermind… Cassiopeia’s mentioned them to me, too. Team Star’s founder… the person who’s caused all kinds of misery at the academy…if we don’t take them down, I’ll lose what I treasure most in the world.”

  I tilt my head. “I don’t think this founder was so bad. They might have let things get out of hand, but the intent of trying to stop bullies from ruining everyone’s fun at school and giving people a pce to be. If there’d been someone like that back in Gar when I went to school there, I’d probably have joined them without hesitation.”

  Penny’s eyes widen behind her gsses. “What… what do you mean?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know exactly how much you know about the LGBTQ+ community, but I’m part of it. I’m both a lesbian, and transgender.”

  Penny jolts, and I pause. That’s an odd reaction…

  “You’re… trans? I… I had no idea, you’re so pretty…”

  I smile. “Thank you. So, what’s your greatest treasure? What’s the thing you’ll lose if Team Star’s Big Boss isn’t stopped?”

  “Ah, no- I just… Um, that’s right! You need your reward! Here- take it before I forget.”

  Penny hands over another caseful of Pokémon materials.

  “A-alright, I’ll be off, then…” she turns and prepares to leave. “Oh… and, Carmina? Don’t lose to those guys…”

  I frown. There’s something about her. The way she seems to know more than I do about the situation, despite having been recruited after me… and there was her reaction to my little revetion…

  Making my way back down to Cascarrafa, I head for the nearby ke. It’s supposed to be the home of the False Dragon Titan. Thanks to Koraidon regaining the ability to swim and glide, I make my way out to one of the isnds. “It’d be nice if I could find this one easily. But it’s not like it’ll be running around shouting “I’m a Titan!”, right? Huuuuh…”

  The isnd is home to lots of these little sushi-looking fish that seem to be able to survive out of water. They’re called Tatsugiri, according to my Pokédex, and I begin poking around to see if I can get any sign of the Titan having been around there.

  They’re all making noises, but one makes me ugh. It sounds like it’s saying “Taitaaan!”

  I approach, smiling. “Is it you? Are you the titan, little guy?”

  “Ai! Taitaaaaaan!”

  Suddenly, a Dondozo, a massive catfish-looking Pokémon leaps out of the ke, swallowing the Tatsugiri whole. “Never flippin’ mind then! It’s gotta be you!”

  Magnezone, my starting team-member, unches a Thunderbolt, and the Dondozo flees. I follow on Koraidon’s back, the giant fish high-tailing it across the ke to the centre. I catch up just in time to watch the Dondozo destroy a chunk of rock on one side of the isnd, the Tatsugiri it swallowed leaving its mouth and heading into the cave. Arven arrives, dripping and soaked, having swam across the entire ke, or something. I have NO idea how he got here!

  “Carmina! Did you find the Titan? Is that it? Are we sure it’s a Dragon-type?”

  The Tatsugiri returns and gets swallowed up again, causing Arven to flinch.

  “Yeesh! Didn’t expect to see the food chain in action today! Well, it’s got me pretty fascinated. I’m gonna dig in and make a meal of this battle!”

  Arven deploys his Greedent, and I let Magnezone take charge, firing off a Thunderbolt. The Dondozo roars and hits Arven’s Greedent with an Aqua Tail. Tossing a Hyper Potion to him, I command Magnezone, “Again! Thunderbolt!”

  The Dondozo reels, spitting out the little fish-guy again, as Arven sighs. “Right, let’s go see about that Herba Mystica-”

  “Taitaaaaaaaaan!”

  As we blink in shock, the Tatsugiri attacks, revealing itself as the REAL False Dragon ‘Taitan’.

  “Magnezone! Tri Attack!”

  “Greedent, use Take Down!”

  The Tatsugiri attacks with Muddy Water, and Magnezone unches a paralyzing Thunderbolt, then another, before going down and being recalled. “Dammit! Garchomp, go!”

  My Garchomp roars, and I snap my fingers. “Dragon Cw!”

  The blow is ferocious, and I watch the tiny Titan get unched, disappearing into the water almost a hundred metres away with a ‘sploosh’! I wait for a minute in case it resurfaces, before returning Garchomp to its Pokéball.

  “Phew… Nice job, Carmina! That’s my hard-working buddy!”

  Arven shoots me a thumbs-up, and I blush and smile. He walks over to the cave, pausing. “The little fish came outta here, which means… there should be some Herba Mystica inside! Let’s go!”

  I nod, and we enter as a pair, the darkness shrouding us as we move slowly and cautiously. Inside, we’re met with the sight of the st glowing pnt we seek. It’s emitting a soft red light, and I urge Arven to get his red-covered book out.

  “Okay, the Scarlet book says… Spicy Herba Mystica’s supposed to boost your metabolism! It gives your circution a boost and helps flush out all those toxins… along with a ton of sweat!”

  I gulp. Arven grins. “You know what’s next… it’s chow time!”

  As before, the sounds of food-prep anarchy fill the cave, and I sit on a rock, waiting.

  “And here we go! Trusty Arven’s chock-full-of-cheer final-herb super-sandwich! Squeeze this badge tight and cry beautiful tears of friendship as you eat, ok?”

  I pick up my sandwich, and Koraidon escapes, as usual, when sandwiches are up-for-grabs.

  “An-giah?”

  I smile, picking up the second sandwich and hold it out.

  “Gians!”

  The sounds of ravenous chewing and snarfing briefly fill the cave, and Arven slowly stands, holding his Pokéball.

  “Looks like it’s Mabosstiff’s turn, then…”

  Mabosstiff appears, and Arven kneels, holding the st sandwich. “Come on, bud. Eat up.”

  The bulky canine Pokémon begins eating slowly, and Arven breathes heavily. “It’s gonna make you all better. I promise… Carmina and I- we really did our best to get this for you. We’re gonna py with your favourite ball as much as you want… y’know? Just like we used to.”

  He cradles a giant paw. “Please…. Get better…. That’s all I want…. Really…”

  “Agia…”

  Nothing happens. No signs of improvement. Arven slowly reaches out, and starts stroking Mabosstiff’s head.

  “Mabosstiff… you did your best, bud…”

  Standing up, he turns and walks away, trying not to cry. I look on, my heart breaking, as a few tears start to drip down my cheek... No… after all that work, we…. Failed? Were all our efforts for nothing…? Oh, poor Arven… Poor Mabosstiff…

  Mabosstiff’s Pokéball rolls off the ft rock, and I wipe my eyes, sniffling as Arven tries to contain his own misery.

  “Ruff!”

  I raise my head as Arven whips round, so fast he almost falls over.

  “Ruff! Woof!”

  Mabosstiff is… trying to stand! He manages it, and pads over to the ball, scooping it up in his jaws, approaching his Trainer. His tail starts wagging, and he looks full of life, excited even!

  “Bud!” Arven stumbles to his knees, crawling desperately towards his beloved partner. Mabosstiff goes straight to him.

  “Ru-ruff!”

  He lets the Pokéball fall into Arven’s hand, his tail wagging furiously.

  Arven stares at the ball, then nods, eyes quivering.

  “I know, bud! Me, too!”

  He throws his arms around the massive dog Pokémon, openly weeping. I pat Rairai on the haunch, feeling myself starting to cry as well.

  About forty minutes ter, and several calls ignored, Arven and I have stopped crying, and I finally answer.

  Ro-to-to-to-to-to!

  “Hello, Carmina. This is Sada.”

  Arven starts. “Wha-?”

  “Agia!”

  Sada continues. “It seems as though Koraidon has regained its full strength, except for the power to battle. It should now be able to climb any vertical surface it grabs onto while you’re riding it.”

  “Agia! Gia!”

  “I knew you were the right person to entrust it to, Carmina.”

  Arven huffs. “Pah… listen to you. Like YOU had anything to do with it.”

  Sada’s tone barely changes. “That voice… Arven? Are you there?”

  Arven stays quiet. “………………”

  Sada sighs. “I have been searching so long… for a way to reach you. Because… Because no-one can get into my b but you.”

  Arven stiffens. “…. Excuse me?”

  Sada continues, “Please take Carmina back to the lighthouse with you. To the b on Poco Path. I will reach out once more when you arrive there.” She hangs up.

  Arven’s face looks like thunder. Mabosstiff paws his trousers. “Wuff?

  Packing up, Arven sighs, resuming his petting of Mabosstiff.

  “I guess you already know… but that… that’s my mom. Always buried under her work, off pursuing her own research. Never at home with me. That’s the first time I’ve even heard her voice in years, you know?”

  He balls his hands into fists. “And now what? The first thing I get is to be treated like some sort of errand boy? She’s seriously… unbelievable!” he snaps.

  A few seconds ter, he sighs and rexes his fists. “But I’m guessing that you and Koraidon probably want to go, huh? Not gonna lie-I feel like my blood’s boiling, but… Sure, fine. I’ll get you into the b. What else can I do?”

  Steeling himself, Arven fixes me with a solid, unwavering gaze. “The b is off Poco Path. At the lighthouse where you and I first met. Come on. Let’s get moving before I change my mind. I’ll meet you there…”

  “Bu-wuff!”

  As I leave to make my way there, I just hear Arven’s murmured words. “Mom… where’ve you been all this time?”