"Be prepared to fight and win. We'll show everyone that Team Star is strong."

The distorted voice over the phone belonged to the mysterious leader of Team Star. Nothing was known about this person except that they were a victim of bullying as well. This recluse got in touch with the six students after they'd all become targets, and together they formed Team Star to stand against them. Even though they'd never met this person face-to-face, they trusted them and considered them a friend.

"So tomorrow morning at the schoolyard," Eri summarized. "And you've already given them the notice?"

"Yes," the boss replied. "I hacked their phones and sent them the message. They'll be there."

Mela slammed her fist against her palm. "Finally, the time has come to teach those jerks a lesson!"

"We won't let you down, Big Boss!" Giacomo said with a grin. "You'll see! They're gonna wish they never messed with us once they see our Starmobiles rolling in!"

"I'm counting on all of you. I know you can do it. I'll contact you again after your victory."

The boss hung up, and Adalynn almost collapsed because her legs felt so wobbly. There was a growing anxiety in her over Operation Star. She ended up leaning against Giacomo's shoulder, catching him by surprise.

"I almost feel sick. I don't know if...if I'm ready."

Giacomo wrapped an arm around her shoulders to keep her on her feet. "You are. I saw you training and teachin' your pokemon new moves and stuff. All that's gonna pay off."

Atticus nodded. "You need not fear, Lady Adalynn, for our strength as a team will prevail."

"We worked hard for this," Ortega added. "There's no way we can lose."

"Right. You're right. I'm worrying too much." Adalynn managed a smile.

"We should still get plenty of rest, though," Eri said. "Everyone, sleep well tonight."

The group said their goodnights and separated to their dorm rooms. All except Adalynn. She didn't feel like she'd be able to sleep, and the thought of failing her friends tomorrow weighed on her mind. Even though it would be taxing, she decided to get a little extra last-minute training in. Going to the schoolyard was actually nice in the evening. It was dark and devoid of students. There was a track for running and other various equipment used for play and exercise. They even had a vegetable garden where the cafeteria got its fresh produce from.

Adalynn called out all five of her pokemon. "Okay, team. Tomorrow's the big day. We need to be battle ready, so I want you all to train as hard as you can."

Her team cheered and got to work at the two little battle courts in the middle of the schoolyard. Gible, Deino, Dreepy, and Frigibax practiced their attacks on each other while either enduring or dodging the moves. Noibat followed Adalynn around the track with her, flying along as the girl jogged to give herself some stamina training as well.

"With me, Noibat. Pretend you're dodging attacks."

The girl hopped as if she were jumping a hurdle, and her partner swooped up and over as well. She then ducked and swerved to the side. Noibat mirrored her every move, increasing her speed and agility for the coming battle. Everything was going well, and after a bit, Adalynn let her team take a break. She was as out of breath as them from running and moving.

"Great work, everyone!"

"Yeah! Great work!"

Adalynn twisted around to see four students approaching. One she recognized as her first bully, the one with the Dachsbun. But there was also a guy with a Primeape, a girl with a Lokix, and another guy with a Haunter. The little dragon types gathered around their trainer, prepared to fight bravely at her side.

"You're one of the ones that sent that stupid message, aren't you?" the main guy pressed. "You think you're strong enough to take us on? I doubt these weaklings have gotten any tougher."

Unlike before when Adalynn showed hesitation, this time, she was determined to stand her ground. Her team was being bold, and maybe it was contagious, because she felt strong with them. Not to mention all her friends' encouragement was still fresh in her mind.

"I can take you all, right here, right now."

Maybe that was a poor choice of words, because the group immediately started to attack. Frigibax directed an Icy Wind at Lokix, but the bug leapt out of the way and knocked the ice dragon out with a well placed Lunge attack. Deino charged to Headbutt Primeape, but the fighting type countered it with a Cross Chop that was too much for him. Dreepy tried her best to catch Haunter with Bite, but the ghost easily dodged her jaws and hit her with a Shadow Punch. Gible actually landed a hit on all but Haunter by using Bulldoze, but it wasn't enough. Dachsbun rushed in to use Play Rough in return. With all the others fainted, Adalynn returned them. Only Noibat was left.

"Use Supersonic!" her trainer commanded. Noibat let out a high-pitched screech that confused the opponent. "Now use Wing Attack!"

The little dragon swooped at Dachsbun, her glowing wings hitting several times in succession. The onslaught was enough to finally take out Dachsbun, but Primeape avenged its comrade with Close Combat. It repeatedly punched and kicked Noibat until she was on the ground at Adalynn's feet.

"Noibat!" She picked up her partner. "You did your best. I'm so proud of you." She returned her before glaring weakly at them. "So you proved your point. I can't beat you all alone."

The leader, who returned his fainted Dachsbun, smirked. "Got that right." He started coming toward her. "And I think we ought to show the rest of your weird friends what happens when you pick a fight with us."

Adalynn started backing away, a bit fearful now that they were seriously threatening her. The other pokemon were giving her intimidating looks. She tried to think of some means of escape, but with no pokemon left to fight and having no chance of outrunning Lokix, she was a sitting Psyduck.

It was then that her sixth pokeball hanging from her waist began to shudder and glow. It opened in a blinding flash of light, and once the bullies were able to see again, they gasped at the strange pokemon hovering before them. It was large and very similar to a Salamence in appearance. Its large wings curved into a unique crescent shape. It roared in anger and dove toward them. The trainers ducked down to avoid being hit, but a powerful Zen Headbutt to Primeape knocked it out.

"Primeape!" its trainer cried, returning it. "What is that thing?!"

"No idea, but we can't let it win! Haunter, use Shadow Ball!"

Haunter aimed the attack at it, but the powerful dragon flew up to avoid it. It then dove at Haunter, using Night Slash. Its claws raked over the ghost, knocking it out too.

"This is ridiculous! Lokix, take it out with Lunge!"

Lokix leapt at it with its powerful legs, landing the attack. But the beast only flinched at the hit, turning toward the bug with a growl. Another Night Slash sent Lokix into a nearby tree, and before the bug could get away, a Flamethrower finished it off while also catching the tree on fire.

The bullies returned their defeated pokemon. "That thing's a monster!" the leader said. The glow of the flames cast an eerie shadow across them as the dragon angrily stalked toward them. "W-we're sorry, okay?! Call that thing off already!" The beast roared at him, causing him and his buddies to turn tail and run. "You're crazy, dragon freak!"

Adalynn finally snapped out of her shocked state to run in front of the dragon to keep him from chasing them. "No, Moon! Enough! It's okay. We're okay now." She cradled his large head to soothe him, earning a grumble from him. Turning her attention to the burning tree, the girl swallowed hard. "Oh no..."

As if her fears were confirmed, she watched as lights within the school began to flicker on, and she could hear people in a panic. Her eyes darted around in horror. She knew she could be expelled for this. Not to mention Roaring Moon might be taken from her. Such a creature was never seen before, and with him causing destruction of school property, he would surely be labeled a monster and detained. Only one idea came to mind - one crazy idea. She clearly wasn't strong enough, and wasn't ready for any of this. She jumped on the dragon's back.

"C'mon, Moon. We have to go."

Roaring Moon glanced back at her before taking off, flying out from under the roof to disappear into the night. Adalynn started crying once they were away from the school, drifting quietly in the dark sky. Her smartphone started buzzing in its case and it popped out for her to see who it was. The mysterious ID and distorted voice made it clear who was contacting her. It was no secret that their leader had hacked all their phones and could probably track them if they wanted to, so the questions that followed weren't surprising.

"Adalynn, what's happening? Where are you going?"

The girl wiped away her tears as best as she could, but couldn't hide her soft sobs. "I'm sorry, Boss... I tried, I really did...but I..." She took a moment to regain some composure so she could speak clearly. "I'm dropping out of Team Star for the time being. I'm just not strong enough yet."

"Dropping out? Just like that?"

"I'll only be a burden to the team if I don't step up my game. I don't know how long it'll take, but I'll be back once I harness the true strength of a Dragon Princess."

There was a long pause before the boss spoke again. "Very well. I can't stop you. But since I've hacked your phone, we'll still be in touch. I may be the founder of Team Star, but I'm also your friend."

Adalynn smiled weakly. "Fair enough. You won't be able to follow me anyway, not where I'm going."

"What should I tell the others?"

"Tell them..." Adalynn had to think for a moment. Just picturing their faces already gave her a sense of longing. And Giacomo - his grin was practically etched in her mind. "Tell them that I'm sorry for leaving without a proper hasta la vistar. But make sure they know that they're the most important people in my life. Team Star is my treasure, and I didn't need to hunt for that. And...tell Giacomo...tell him..." She sighed at her inability to say what she felt for him. "Nevermind on that last part."

"Alright," the boss replied. "They're gonna miss you, Addie. Be careful out there, and come back to us soon. Team Star wouldn't be the same without its Dragon Princess. Hasta la vistar."

"Hasta la vistar, Big Boss." They hung up, and the phone went back into its case. Adalynn looked back at the school in the distance, realizing they were right where they needed to be. There was a seemingly bottomless expanse below them. "Let's go, Moon. It's time I see your home for myself."

She gave his neck a pat, and Roaring Moon dove down. Adalynn held on tight, the layer of fog rushing past them when they descended. They disappeared into the Great Crater of Paldea.

~~~~

Giacomo crumpled another piece of paper and tossed it in the bin next to his desk. It was nearly half full of papers that he'd discarded. "No, that's not right either. Why the heck is this so hard?" He sighed and started writing on a new sheet, reading aloud as he went. "Dear Addie. We've been best friends ever since you enrolled, and we've been looking out for each other even before Team Star was formed. I hope you don't find this weird, and I really hope this doesn't mess up our friendship, but I want you to know that I like you as more than a friend. You're beautiful and fun, and unique in the best ways. My feelings grew every single day I spent with you. So now, I wanna ask if you'd give me a chance? I'd like to take you out. I'll even throw you a party and DJ for you, if that's what you'd like." He paused to read over it again only to crumple it up as well. "Ugh, now I just sound like a desperate loser."

Despite all the risks he was taking, he wanted to do this. He wanted to write down his feelings so he could tell Adalynn how much she meant to him. And writing it as a little love letter was easiest. He'd probably die if he had to say it all to her face. He thought he was content just having her as a friend, but as it turned out, he couldn't bottle up his feelings for her any longer. He had to let it out - he had to tell her, even if she rejected him. A dreamy sigh escaped him at just the idea of being with her. He wanted to make music for her, wanted to go out and enjoy the sights and food with her, and wanted to embrace her every time she was feeling inferior to the rest of them.

He was just about to get started on a new letter when his phone buzzed. He checked it, finding a message left from the big boss. In mere moments, he burst through his door and started sprinting down the hall. There were other students going in the opposite direction in noisy hordes, but he found Eri and Mela also rushing to Adalynn's dorm room. He pushed past them and threw the door open.

"Addie!" His eyes darted around the empty room. "Addie!"

"Calm down, Giacomo!" Mela shouted. "You're actin' hysterical!"

"No, I'm not!" he snapped. "Didn't you get the boss's message? Addie's leavin' the team! If we find her, maybe we can talk her out of it!"

He started to leave, but Eri snatched his arm and her strong grip forced him to halt. "Mela's right, you need to calm down first. The other part of the message said that we can't follow her, but that she'll be back. We need to have faith in her."

Giacomo tried to hide his misty eyes under his cap. "No... This can't be happening..."

The commotion of students rushing down the halls finally diverted their attention. Giacomo took the distraction to yank his arm free and follow the crowds. He ended up in the schoolyard where Atticus and Ortega were, along with a vast majority of the school. Faculty members with water type pokemon were gathered around the remaining ashy stump of a tree.

"What happened here?" Giacomo asked.

"A fire, it seems," Atticus answered. "Brought about by a heated battle."

"Some students were blaming it on Adalynn," Ortega explained. "Said she attacked them with a vicious pokemon that resembled a Salamence."

It all made sense now. Adalynn left because she knew she'd be in trouble for this, and staying would also drag Team Star into it. She wanted to get stronger with her dragon types, and she wanted to keep her friends out of this mess of hers.

"So the boss wasn't kiddin'." Giacomo nearly fell to his knees from the devastating blow to his heart. "She's really gone... Addie's gone..." His chest felt tight like he was going to suffocate. He tipped his head down so his cap could hide his tears. He tuned out the voices of his worried friends as memories of Adalynn consumed his every thought. "I'll wait for you," he mumbled, his voice sounding broken. "Come back soon, Addie."