"I'm tellin' you, it was super weird!" Mela clenched her fist angrily. "Only caught a glimpse of them, but it was definitely a bunch of pokemon!"

Giacomo sighed. "So we've got kleptomaniac pokemon to worry about now? Man, just when we were finally getting settled back in."

Atticus never would've imagined the day Team Star would be back in school. Yet there they were, gathered in front of the academy. Even their big boss herself was present and had a hand in helping them get reacquainted with school life. But just when they thought things would settle down, a new problem arose.

"Momo, what exactly happened at your base again?" Penny inquired.

"After a day of battle training some students, I came back here like usual for the evening. Next day, I found a bunch of supplies gone. Potions, elixirs, revives. You name it, it was gone. Bad thing is we need those things to operate our STC's, otherwise we can't heal up anyone's pokemon without a trip to a Pokemon Center."

Penny closed her eyes in thought. "Peculiar. What kind of pokemon would steal those? Berries and food supplies I'd understand, but healing items?" She shook her head. "Could you explain your encounter, Mellie? Don't leave a single detail out."

"Like Giacomo, I spent all of yesterday at my base battlin' some inexperienced kids. I stayed later than expected to get in extra training, plus the guys wanted some battling tips. Anyway, I was about to leave when something weird happened. There was this oddly sweet smell in the air, although I couldn't describe it if I wanted to. The next thing I knew, a bunch of the pokemon started acting out of sorts, like they'd been struck with confusion or something, but it was only about half of 'em. The rest were fine for some reason. Then I saw it - something in the darkness slinking around. It went from tent to tent, but whatever it was, it was fast and blended into the darkness. I tried to chase it down, but a bunch of large pokemon intercepted me, and with over half my team incapable of fighting, I couldn't do anything. Next thing I know, all the mysterious pokemon were gone and a bunch of supplies were missing. Even the fire stones I'd collected had vanished! What pokemon needs that many stones?!"

"Did you see what any of the pokemon looked like?"

Mela shook her head. "Nope. It was really dark. All I saw were their large shapes and glowing eyes. There were at least maybe five or six of them, though. Plus the one raiding the tents."

"This is strange." Penny looked at each of the others. "And none of you have been visited by these thieves, have you?"

Eri and Ortega shook their heads, and Atticus answered with, "Nay, but in light of these incidents, it would be wise to increase our security."

"That's probably the best we can do," Penny said with a shake of her head. "If these thieves hit up two bases, they might strike the others as well."

"Let them try!" Ortega hit his scepter against his palm. "If anyone thinks they can sneak into my base and steal my stuff without consequences, then they're sorely mistaken! I'll teach them a lesson if I catch them!"

Eri crossed her arms with confidence. "Due to my base's location, it would be easy to set up a trap. There's only one way in or out. Unless these pokemon can fly, there's no way they're escaping me."

"I will remain vigilant as well," Atticus added. "The night is an ally to the ninja. In my element, I may just be able to corner these wretched bandits."

"Do your best, everyone. I'll do some research on the subject." Penny started heading for the doors of the academy. "Be careful. We have no idea what we're dealing with yet."

Although the situation kept distracting him, Atticus attended his classes. He was doing quite well, and the young boy Youssef, his dear compadre, kept him company most days. It made him think of her. Violet. Nearly a year ago, he started to see her less and less. She didn't visit Tagtree Thicket like she used to. He also couldn't seem to get a hold of her when he called or messaged her. She was deliberately ignoring his attempts at communicating with her, either that, or something serious happened to her. He regretted not getting her address before. And once he and his friends returned to school, he'd hoped to find her there. But alas, it seemed she was skipping school more than ever. She might've dropped out, for all he knew.

It was later that day, after classes were over, that Atticus visited the school store. It was a common occurrence for him, especially since they sold clothing items and things for sewing. But it was there that he overheard something intriguing.

"Yeah, apparently a lot of shops in the smaller towns are ramping up security because of it."

Atticus glanced at the two girls over by the baked goods chatting.

"Don't you think it's weird that pokemon would go around stealing random trainer supplies? I mean, what good would poke balls and potions do for them?"

"Of course it's weird. But the strangest part is that no one can even identify these pokemon. Could it be some new species or something? That would be kinda cool!"

Atticus completed his purchase of the fabrics he needed, then left with that information in mind. Going to his dorm room, he placed his things there. He got started on sewing together a new set of curtains for his room, his mind wandering. What are these mysterious pokemon? And why are they stealing such varied items? None of the stolen goods are even edible. His phone buzzed with a message from Penny. She wanted all of them to come to her room. Atticus put his sewing on pause and left for the big boss's room, finding the others gathering there as well.

"Have you found anything useful about our burglars?" Giacomo asked.

Penny, seated at her computer, spun her chair around to face them. "A few things, yes. Check this out." She spun back around to the monitor and they gathered around to see. "There are news articles of these same types of incidents happening all over Paldea lately. Shops are being targeted and their items stolen. Apparently, witness reports are identical to yours, Mellie. They say there was a sweet smell in the air, and then a bunch of large pokemon would corner them while another escaped with the goods."

"So these perpetrators aren't singling us out," Atticus concluded. "I heard some fellow students mention this earlier. These incidents are happening in smaller towns, and our bases, apparently."

"Makes sense," Penny replied with a nod. "If one were to try that in a place as big and populated as Mesagoza, someone would surely manage to see them."

"C'mon, isn't there any way to narrow it down?" Mela asked. "Like, there has to be a way of figuring out what pokemon these are."

Penny sighed. "Thing is, there's really no way to do that without any clear description. There are lots of large pokemon, and lots of speedy ones. There's been no reports of footprints or fur left at the scenes that could give us a clue. I even looked into the sweet scent everyone reported, but there are lots of pokemon that put off some kind of smell for whatever reason, and it could even be a pokemon that just knows Sweet Scent."

"So, basically all we can do is wait and see if they hit up any more of our bases," Eri summarized. "I'm gonna catch a Flying Taxi and head out before night falls. Need time to alert the rest of my crew and set up a trap."

Ortega sighed in annoyance. "I guess I do have some tinkering I can do tonight. I'll keep my eyes peeled, I guess."

Atticus crossed his arms. "I shall take my leave as well. Preparation is key, and I wish to be readily equipped to confront these foes."

And thus, Atticus took a long and undisturbed meditation late into the night. His crew was well aware of the possible threat, so quite a few grunts remained at the base with him. But the night was quiet and uneventful. The next morning, Team Star met up again, and Ortega was practically fuming.

"How the heck could this happen?! In my base?! I was literally there the whole time!"

Giacomo sighed and shook his head. "Let me guess. You were tinkerin' the whole time and let the thieves steal your supplies, didn't you?"

Penny nearly slapped her palm over her face. "Ortie, you were supposed to be ready. That was the whole point."

"Well I had to do something to keep myself awake!" Ortega stamped his foot on the ground. "I didn't expect them to actually show up!"

Eri set her gaze on the ninja. "Guess it's up to you and me now, Atticus. One of us has to catch these pilfering pokemon."

"Indeed. And catch them we will. Our foes have eluded us thus far, but they won't escape the great, infernal Eri, nor will they evade my poisonous grasp."

The team dispersed to attend classes, as usual. Atticus was constantly thinking - planning what type of strategy to take. It was up to him and Eri to catch these pokemon, for if they were to elude both of them, the mystery may never be solved and those pokemon would continue to run rampant. Eri was a strong fighter, and her base's location was perfect for trapping the bandits. As for Atticus, he would rely on his speed and poison to catch them. When he went to the cafeteria for lunch, the ninja was torn from his thoughts by the most unlikely of faces. The dark clothes made her stick out like a sore thumb among the other students. She sat silently at a table by herself, an empty plate on the table next to her open sketchbook. He couldn't believe his eyes, and he blinked several times just to be sure he wasn't imagining things.

"Lady Violet?"

The goth jumped a little before turning her head to look at him. "Atticus. Hi. It's been a while, huh?"

Atticus sat down across from her, removing his headwear in the process. "My dear lady, wherever hast thou been? I've nary seen you for a year at least! I tried to stay in touch!"

Violet swiftly closed her sketchbook. "Sorry, I've been…busy. A lot's been going on in my life and I've barely set foot in the school lately. I didn't mean to disappear on you."

"You know I'll always lend you my ear if thou wish to confide in me, Lady Violet. We are friends, are we not?"

Violet gave a slow nod. "Yes. We may be friends, but this is…well, it's personal. I can't talk about it."

Atticus searched her eyes for answers. She was being far more distant than she used to, especially considering how long it's been since they'd spoken. He'd hoped she'd be as thrilled to see him as he was to see her. But she didn't so much as smile. While holding eye contact, he noticed her fatigue.

"You look weary. Are you…alright?"

The girl was quick to rub her tired eyes. "I'm fine. Just been having trouble sleeping." She abruptly rose to her feet. "It was nice seeing you again, but I need to go."

Grabbing her sketchbook, she turned to hurry away. Unbeknownst to her, a couple of loose pages slipped free and drifted to the floor. Atticus was quick to fetch them. His gaze fixated on the drawings. They evoked so much more emotion than anything he'd seen her make before. One depicted a Salandit being harassed and rejected by a Salazzle and her harem of male Salandit. The poor thing was unable to return to her home because of them. A Zorua was on the other page. It was crying, scared and alone in a dark forest. The ninja nearly shed a tear, looking to the door where Violet had already left.

"My dear lady, what has happened to you?"