I sigh, letting all the tension that had built up over the st few months vent into the now-calm night sky.

  “Okay, I feel better now. Look, Penny. I was serious. If you wanted my help, you could’ve just ASKED. I don’t hate you, and I don’t even hate what you got me to do. I just don’t want to be used like that. I’m frustrated that you didn’t come and ask me for help. I mean… we’re schoolmates, right? I’d like us to be proper friends, too. But I do want an apology, okay?”

  I step back to take care of my team, as Penny stares at me in bemusement. Clive finishes his recording, and Penny sends out the video. Her phone starts exploding with call after call, forcing her to answer.

  When she doesn’t, I reach out and swipe the screen of her bring Rotom Phone.

  “We’re in the Naranja Academy schoolyard, come and find us!”

  With a half-hearted gre, Penny hangs up before I can say more, then sighs.

  “Thanks for everything, Carmina. And you too, Clive… I guess this is it for Team Star… and me, too-”

  Clive nods. “I’m gd I could see this through to the end. Although, I still don’t understand… if you’re the Big Boss of Team Star, why not ask the others to step down?”

  Penny sighs. “I tried telling the bosses that we were done once before. But they still didn’t quit…”

  Clive shrugs.

  “Why not simply order them to?”

  Penny shakes her head. “Our code states that no-one in the team has the right to order people around. I could ask them all to do stuff, but I could never order them.”

  Clive pinches the bridge of his nose.

  “So it’s back to the code once again… the bosses must’ve taken it very seriously.”

  “They did. That’s why I knew I could use it to force Team Star to disband.”

  Clive nods thoughtfully. “Because the bosses would do anything the code required of them, even leave the team…”

  “Yes… and, according to the code, they HAD to accept any challenge made to them.” Penny’s gsses are strangely fogged up. Clive runs a hand through his hair.

  “Thus the idea for Operation Starfall… Cassiopeia. Let me ask you one st thing.”

  Fixing his gaze on the girl, Clive’s voice rings out.

  “What does Team Star- no, what do your friends in the team mean to you?”

  Penny presses a fist to her heart. A small smile creeps across her face.

  “……… they’re… They’re my greatest treasure.”

  Clive csps his hands behind his back.

  “Splendid. Thank you for apprising me of the situation, Miss Penny.”

  I smile. “Oh, by the way… Clive is actually Director Cvell.”

  “Wha-?”

  “Ha-hah!”

  I giggle as Penny freaks out, having apparently not seen THIS coming, either.

  “I know, I fell for it too! Our director’s got some serious acting chops!”

  Director Cvell stands there before us both, arms wide.

  “Just as Cassiopeia was your disguise, the boy you knew as Clive was mine!”

  Penny looks fit to blow a gasket.

  “But… But why?!”

  Mr. Cvell adjusts his spectacles.

  “I needed a way to talk to Team Star on equal terms. Students do tend to shy from speaking their mind to their teachers, after all… much more so when faced with the director of the academy.”

  Penny blinks. “Yeah, but… where do I even start? Wasn’t the outfit a bit much? Plus I have some big feelings about that wig…”

  “Ahem! Well, that’s quite enough of that for now. Everyone! Why don’t you come on out?”

  Penny turns, and lets out a short, muffled scream, as five familiar figures traipse out to form a semicircle around her.

  Giacomo tugs lightly on the brim of his cap.

  “Yo, Big Boss! Long time no see.”

  Me butts in, “Long time no meet, more like! I mean, we only just found out your real name!”

  Atticus bows formally.

  “Verily is thy long-hidden countenance a sight for sore eyes, my dy.”

  Ortega fiddles with a strand of his immacutely-parted hair.

  “Um, so I heard your real name’s Penny? How’ve you been all this time?”

  Eri almost visibly restrains herself from unching herself at Penny for a hug.

  “We found you, at st… you have no idea how worried we’ve been!”

  Penny stares at each and every one of the former Team Star bosses. I can hear her sniffle.

  Giacomo looks at his cohorts.

  “Okay, gang! On the count of three! One, two…”

  I stare in delight as all of them fwlessly perform the Team Star signal.

  “Hasta vistar, Cassiopeia! And hello, Penny!”

  As they all finish, I smile and fold my arms under my bust, watching. I was right… they’re all good people…!

  Director Cvell clears his throat after a couple of minutes.

  “Now, then, Miss Penny- and each of you young bosses, as well. On behalf of the academy, I have something I would like to say to Team Star.”

  He approaches, before bowing deeply.

  “You all have… my sincerest apologies.”

  Penny double-takes.

  “Come again?”

  I watch, not a part of this, but unwilling to interrupt by leaving. The red-and-white-suited gentleman continues.

  “As director of the academy, I let you down. My handling of your situation was a dismal failure…”

  Penny presses a hand to her mouth.

  “Wha-? I still don’t… I mean… why?”

  The director expins, “You all told me about your reasons for forming Team Star and about your subsequent actions. Ever since my first days as director, all I’ve ever experienced of the academy is an environment blessedly free from bullying. But now I know this peace was built of the backs of your hurt and anger- and, of course, your immense courage in putting things to right. And so, I’ll get straight to the conclusion. The academy’s order for Team Star to disband and my threat to expel those who did not obey… are hereby revoked!”

  Silence reigns for minute upon minute, before Giacomo slowly speaks up.

  “Does that mean what I think it means…?”

  Mr. Cvell nods.

  “Indeed! Team Star can continue to exist, should that be your wish!”

  After a fractured age of stunned silence, the five squad bosses swarm their supreme leader.

  Eri whoops, “Isn’t this great, Penny? Now we can all stay together!”

  “O, mine heart is giddy with glee!” Atticus procims grandly.

  Penny looks at each of them.

  “B-but… I betrayed all of you…”

  Ortega twirls his cane.

  “you mean Operation Starfall? Director Cvell told us all about it!”

  Giacomo nods.

  “Far as we heard, you only went through with it to save us from getting expelled! You were just worried about us, right?”

  Me winks at me, as she adds, “Not like we’d ever chuck the team just ‘cause someone told us to, after all. Ain’t our style.”

  Atticus folds his arms.

  “I cannot even begin to fathom how you must have fear’d for us, Lady Penny…”

  Eri gives in and hugs Penny, the smaller girl almost vanishing in the wrestler’s embrace.

  “Sorry for making you worry, B.B. we’re all okay now.”

  Penny protests, “B-but-! Even so…”

  I cup my hands around my mouth and shout, “Just accept their apologies, dummy!”

  She turns her head… and pouts at me. Me stomps over and drags me in.

  “And you! You were helping her, right? Looks like we have an honorary Team Star boss here, right guys? What about… Leader of the Artemis Squad?!”

  I blink as Giacomo sticks his thumb up, Ortega and Atticus nod, and Eri reaches out, patting me on the back with surprising gentleness for such an Amazon. I smile, and, making a little space, perform my own Team Star greeting.

  “Hasta vistar, then!”

  Director Cvell gives us a minute, before cpping his hands.

  “Just a moment, everyone I’ve more to say. As previously stated, the requirement for Team Star to disband has been revoked. However! There are still some unsettled matters to discuss. Allow me to eborate… your protracted truancy! Your brazen customization of school uniforms! Your unauthorized usage of academy equipment! Your reckless modification and jeopardous driving of Pokémon-powered vehicles! Need I go on? Your fgrant disregard for school rules cannot simply be overlooked!”

  I stare, before stepping in front of my… my new friends.

  Cvell holds up a hand. “Thus, as punishment, all of you will be required to engage in community service. Specifically, I will be asking you to manage the STCs.”

  “STCs?” I ask, narrowing my eyes, wondering what the Director’s up to.

  “the Star Training Centres! They shall be facilities for cultivating Pokémon Trainers’ talents. I pn for the academy to found them in colboration with the Pokémon League. The idea came to me when I watched Miss Carmina battling her way through your bases. The bases’ construction, as well as the battle tactics employed by the students in Team Star, are remarkably unique and creative! I would ask that you continue your activities but henceforth as STC staff members, using your former bases as training facilities! And that is the sum of it. Does anyone have any concerns?”

  Penny bites her lip.

  “Um… no? it sounds like fun, so I don’t see how this’d be anything other than a win-win…”

  Ortega adds in, “This may be a weird thing to say, since the STCs are supposed to be a punishment and all, but you should totally join in too, Penny!”

  Atticus nods. “’Tis true… we would most happily have thee at our sides, my dy.”

  Eri beams. “We can go to school together, too! That way, of anything happens, we can be there to protect you!”

  Giacomo gives us all a thumbs-up and a huge grin.

  “We were already talkin’ about how great it’d be to have both Team Star and school in our lives. This’d be a sweet deal for us!”

  Me looks up at Penny. “So… whaddya say?”

  Penny stares at each of them in turn. “you guys…”

  Then she turns to me. “Carmina… what do you think?”

  I smile. “Count me in! I think it sounds great! Though, since I don’t have a base, I can just help out with wherever I’m wanted, yeah?”

  Penny gapes. “Huh? B-but-! Ummm… I just…”

  Director Cvell smiles. “no need to give your response right this moment, Miss Penny. Do take some time to decide. For now, at least, I think our little group should go their separate ways. Ah, not to say you should break up Team Star, by any means. I simply mean it is time to leave. Miss Carmina? Please stop by my office before you go to bed, if you would.”

  I nod, watching the Director depart. After exchanging numbers with all my new Team Star friends, I wish them all a good night, before heading to see the Director.

  When Ii enter, he turns from the window to face me.

  “Ah, here you are, Miss Carmina. I wanted to thank you for all your hard work in resolving the situation with Team Star. If not for you, I suspect I would have done the team a grievous injustice in my choice of punishment for their actions. You have my sincere gratitude.”

  A knock comes from the door, and we both turn in confusion.

  “It’s like, super-early… who else is awake at three AM??”

  The director nods.

  “Who is it?”

  I smile when I hear her.

  “Ummm….It’s Penny…”

  “Ah, Miss Penny! Do come in.”

  “H-hello, Director… About the STCs…. I’d like to work on them together with the rest of Team Star.”

  “That’s wonderful news. Thank you very much for your favourable response.”

  Penny looks to one side. “But, um… I, I should be more heavily punished than the others, I think…”

  The teacher looks curious.

  “Why so? Because of Operation Starfall?”

  “N-no, not that… because of the other really bad thing I did…”

  “And what would that be?”

  “Um… y’know the LP I gave you both in exchange for helping me with Operation Starfall…? I got hold of it sort-of…illegally… by hacking the Pokémon League’s LP management system.”

  I blink as Cvell coughs in surprise.

  “I-I see. That is… quite the revetion. I did not think such a thing was possible in the first pce.”

  Penny bites her lip. “It wasn’t all that har-err, I mean, I’m really sorry and I won’t do it again…”

  Director Cvell looks rather lost, poor guy.

  “Hmm. This matter is rather out of my jurisdiction, I’m afraid. I will have to consult Ms Geeta, the Pokémon League chairwoman, on how best to proceed.”

  Penny sighs. “I figured as much…”

  Director Cvell turns to me.

  “I do apologise, Miss Carmina, but I will have to ask you to give us some privacy. Why don’t you get some sleep and come back in the morning?”

  I nod, feeling the growing tiredness starting to creep up on me now that things have seemingly calmed down.

  “Of course. Good night, Director. Goodnight, Penny. See you in css!”

  As she squeaks, I slip out of the Director’s office and head back to my dorm room. It’s been a while since I was st here, but everything is as I left it. Kicking off my shoes, I yawn, and flop into bed.

  “Need… pyjamas… gotta… zzzzzzzzzzzzzz…..”

  It’s still light when I wake, but I check my Rotom phone.

  “…it’s already noon?! Aaaaaaahhhhhh!”

  I quickly down my daily dose of pills and swing by the cafeteria to grab lunch. Taking medicine on an empty stomach tends to leave me feeling off for a couple of hours, and, if I’ve got a meeting with the Director to finish up our chat from st night, as well as my Champion Assessment, I want to be on top of my game…

  I decide to deal with the Champion Assessment first. However, as I push out through the entrance hall doors, my phone rings.

  Ro-to-to-to-to!

  I answer, and smile as I see the number.

  “Good afternoon, Penny!”

  “Um… hey, Carmina... There’s something I want to talk to you about. Could you come meet me in front of the school stairs? Y’know, where we first met? I’ll be waiting…”

  “sure! I’m actually headed that way right now! See you in a couple minutes!”

  I hang up, and head down the stairs. It’s been almost half a year since I started school here, and now I’ve made friends, been all over the region, trained some awesome Pokémon, and I get the sneaking suspicion my adventure’s only just beginning…

  I spot Penny, standing at the same spot I met her. She turns at my approach.

  “Hasta vistar…”

  I smile. “That catchphrase means a lot to you, huh?”

  “Yeah… the six of us thought it up when we created the team. It’s so cringey it’s perfect, y’know? Anyway, about the LP thing. I thought I was going down big-time for hacking the League Point system, but they’re letting me off easy…”

  I step closer. “So, what happened?”

  “The Pokémon League said they’ll waive my debt if I do some volunteer engineering for them. They even asked me to come work for them after I graduate, if you can believe that. Director Cvell and that Geeta dy kept complimenting me, like, a weird amount. Apparently, I have ‘outstanding talent’ or something like that……”

  Penny takes a deep breath. “Sorry for calling you out here to meet like this. I’m still not so great with people face-to-face… I never seem to find the right words, but, um… Th-thank you… so much. You saved Team Star-and my friends along with it. I know words won’t ever be enough to thank you for all you’ve done, so here…”

  Penny hands me a small disk in a gleaming gold case. The bel reads, ‘TM169: DRACO METEOR’. I smile and tuck it away, as Penny adds, “And… I’m sorry for not asking you directly.”

  “Apology accepted, friend.” I smile. Penny brightens.

  “Seriously, I want to repay the debt I owe you. If you ever think of a way I can do that, just let me know. I’m great with machines and hacking and stuff… so, next time, let me be the one helping you, okay?”

  I see her smile. Then, a small, silver packet of pills falls out of her bag. I watch it, before realizing.

  “You too?!”

  She spots what I’m staring at, swiftly crouching to scoop the packet of oestrogen pills up and shove them deep in her pocket.

  “Um… yeah. Me too.”

  I smile. “Awesome! Well, I’ve gotta go take my Champion Assessment. See you ’round, Penny. And don’t worry. We’ll keep this between us. Hasta vistar!”

  I wink and hold up my own little packet of pills as proof, before skipping down the stairs.

  Thankfully, it’s not too busy, and I manage to pick up a snack for myself and my team. One way or another, we’re going to need it before the day is out. Either I’m going to pass the assessment and become a Champion-ranked Trainer… or half a year of work will burn up in a fsh and be all wasted… better grab some sweets, just in case I end up as a depression meatloaf and spend the next week wearing nothing but my pyjamas and a thick yer of pastry crumbs.

  Making my way to the Pokémon League, I stock up on a few Full Restores, Revives, and some Ultra Balls, before taking a deep breath. Standing at the entrance is Ms. Geeta.

  “Hello, Carmina. So, this is it… you’ve decided to face the Pokémon League. The final test you must pass to become a Champion… is held here, in this building. I wish you the best of luck from te bottom of my heart, Carmina. I look forward to meeting you again soon.”

  I watch her enter the building, a League staffer stepping between me and the doors. After confirming that I’m here to take the Champion Assessment, and having all eight of my Gym Badges verified, I’m allowed in, stepping through the doors and making my way to the interview room. Instead of a great stadium, it… looks like a normal office.

  “Thank you for coming today.”

  “Ms. Rika? I thought the Assessment was a battle against the Elite Four?”

  “First, you need to take a verbal test. Please, do have a seat.”

  I sit down, as Rika turns on a small audio recorder.

  “I, Rika, will be your interviewer. Let’s get started with the first portion of the Champion Assessment. We begin with the interview. Now, I’d like to ask you a few questions, if you wouldn’t mind, Carmina. Please think carefully, as you may automatically fail the interview depending on your answers.”

  I gulp. Auto-fail??? No-one mentioned that! Why couldn’t it just have been a battle?!

  “How did you get here today?”

  I blink. “Uh, I rode my Pokémon.”

  Rika nods. “Very good, very good. Please tell me the name of the school you are enrolled in.”

  “Naranja Academy, first year student.”

  “And what brings you to the Pokémon League today?”

  “I came… to become a Champion!”

  Rika nods, a sharp smile fshing across her face.

  “Yes, indeed. Why else would you be here, I suppose. Now, what do you intend to do, if and when you become a Champion?”

  I swallow. What I say next could be crucial.

  “I… I want to battle Nemona!”

  “I see. Interesting. Tell me: which of the eight Gyms gave you the most difficulty?”

  I pause. I hadn’t had THAT much difficulty with any of them, but, out of the ones I faced, I knew who I’d least wanted to fight.

  “Levincia.”

  “I see. And what was the name of the Gym Leader?”

  “Iono…”

  “And what type of Pokémon did Iono use?”

  “Electric.”

  “Wonderful. Building the skills needed for the Champion Assessment is no small feat. You must have met a lot of Pokémon to get here, Carmina. What was the category of the Pokémon you chose to be your first partner?”

  I blink. “It was Fuecoco, the Fire Croc Pokémon.”

  “Very good, very good. Now, please forgive me, but I’m going to repeat a previous question. Remind me, but what do you intend to do if and when you become Champion?”

  I blush again, a little harder.

  “I said, I want to battle Nemona!”

  Rika smiles.

  “Ah yes, that’s right. Next is the final question for this interview. Do you like Pokémon, Carmina?”

  I smile.

  “What kind of question is that? Of course I do. I LOVE Pokémon! They’re amazing!”

  Rika stays silent for a minute. I counted each second, so I know it was exactly a minute.

  “… … … … … … Good job, kiddo. That about wraps up the interview. And let me be the first to congratute you, Carmina. You just passed the first part of the Champion Assessment! On your first try, no less. I don’t anyone’s done that since Nemona.”

  I sigh in relief, as Rika stops the recording.

  “Anyway, time to switch gears and get ready for the next segment. The second part is what we call the Elite Test. And you’ll be facing the Elite Four in battle!”

  I can fee a surge of confidence. Okay, I can do THAT, no sweat!

  “Anyway, we’re the best the League has to offer. You’ll be facing us four in a row-no turning back. This WON’T be a cakewalk, I promise you that. Make sure you’re ready, and then go into the room behind me.”

  I double-check my team. Who should I lead with? What would be the optimal py?

  Making a decision, I decide to make Azumarill my lead, counting on its bulky, defensive nature to give me a chance to see what I’m up against. Then, steeling myself, I step into the room through the door behind Rika.

  This room is much more like it. A huge square, with high ceilings and thick padding on the walls. However, it’s empty. I blink, then my eyes widen as Rika strolls past, taking up a spot in front of the far doors.

  “Now then, let’s get this started, eh? Let good ol’ Rika be the first of the Elite Four to take you on! I’d say I’ll go easy on you… but I’d be lying! Think fast!”

  Before I can react, Rika whips a Pokéball towards me, sending out a Whiscash.

  My Azumarill doesn’t have any super-effective moves against the mud fish, so I have it lead with a Py Rough, managing to take it down as Rika sets her next partner on me, a Donphan. This time, I have Azumarill Ice Punch the elephantine Pokémon it survives the hit and nds a Poison Jab that leaves poor Azumarill badly poisoned. A Liquidation finishes the Donphan, and the Dugtrio that follows nds an Earthquake, then eats an Ice Punch and goes down.

  As Rika sends her Camerupt out, I pull a Full Restore from my bag and spray the contents over Azumarill, curing the poison and restoring it to full fighting form. Azumarill takes the chance to nd another Liquidation and decks the Camerupt with a watery bst. Rika’s Clodsire is the st to be sent out, and she Terastallizes it. This could get grim, fast. Clodsire is a hugely bulky, defensive monster,. And, when Azumarill tries an Ice Punch, the muddy brown blob of dopey fish uses Protect to block the hit. I go with another Liquidation, which it fails to predict, and, despite the increased defensiveness from Terastallizing, Clodsire… goes down.

  Rika cps her hands, beaming.

  “Not bad, kiddo. Talk about unfair! No way was I ever gonna win that one. Still, though, what a great battle. Felt good even to lose! Not a whole lot of Trainers have the skill to make it past the Elite Test… but who knows? I’m beginning to think you might be one of the few that do, Carmina. Better stay on your toes, though- I’m the WEAKEST of the Elite Four!”

  Rika turns to the door opposite the one we came in through, and yells.

  “You’re up next, squirt! Come on out!”

  The door opens, and the tiny figure of Poppy scampers out.

  “Comiiiing!”

  I swallow.