Banny was worried. Extremely worried.

  Why wouldn’t she be? Of course, any normal Pokémon like her would be worried about the situation she got wrapped up in. But of course, she was the only normal Pokémon surrounded by crazy Pokémon and two other-worldly beings!!!

  And now they want them, them to help against a dangerous cult, or cults wreaking havoc in the entirety of the Eclipse continent!? What do they even see them as? Well, they probably see Kirby as a savior because of his… well… godly origins. But what do they even see Banny as!?

  Oh, that’s right. Terapagos mentioned her parents, he probably thinks that she’d definitely be on their tier as explorers… but she barely started yet! She won’t reach her mother’s level in literal cycles from now!

  The four Pokémon left the elder’s place, but with a new member, however, who decided to come out of the crystal “ palace” as well. They were waiting for the big turtle legendary to come out. Eventually, however, the big crystal suddenly created a huge hole for the floating turtle to come out at the base of the crystal. However, they were caught off guard when Terapagos suddenly glowed a bright blue as his form started shrinking and morphing, bit by bit.

  Eventually, Tera’s transformation finally seemed to finish and Banny could not believe her eyes. After all this time, she had associated the elder with this terrifying image of power, being the creator of one of the most valuable materials of all time, a Pokémon of unrivaled power that could potentially rival himself with other godly beings…

  … Now that image was shattered once she gazed at the cute indigo turtle a bit taller than her and Kirby.

  Limbs and a tail came out of a small hexagonal scintillant shell, along with a neck that came out of the shell. Not only that but, on the top of his head, some crystals came out of there like it was some kind of hair or fur. And who could forget the star-like eyes that glimmered and reflected light easily?

  Terapagos stretched his limbs a bit as he spoke with a sigh of relief. “Another day out of that cranky old space!” He turned his head to Shitsuji with a smile. “I’m still so glad you invited me out of my shell to do some things together! Quite literally actually, hehe!”

  “Why, it was nothing to thank me about. It is what friends do after all.” The indeedee said curtly as he adjusted his glasses. “And to be fair, it was your idea to go out to eat together that one time.”

  “Awww, don’t worry Suji, I know you would’ve suggested the idea either way from how much you like Tera!” Karikiri responded by spinning around in the air, going in circles around the two Pokémon. She then got between them and twirled. “The team is back together!!!”

  Banny couldn’t help but cross her arms together and smile at the group’s reunion. She wondered how big their friendship would be if the calamity from before hadn’t befallen the world. Still, though, she also wanted Team Star Warriors to be this close sometime, she’d love that.

  The scorbunny turned to Kirby and asked. “Hey, Kirby?” The puffball looked at her and tilted his body in confusion. “Do you ever think we’re gonna act like them once we work as a team like this for more time?”

  He smiled at the rabbit and responded “Of course we will, Banny! You’ll see!” Suddenly, the entire mood was interrupted when the belly of a very hungry astrali rumbled. The Pokémon and the Ultra Beast looked at him as he nervously spoke while grinning. “Um… so… about that restaurant we planned on going…”

  “Oh, are you a hungry lil’ fella too!? Thought it was just Tera over here!” The kartana beamed before looping in the air and looking at the indeedee. “C’mon Suji, let’s go already! We don’t wanna let these two hungry legends starve, right?”

  “Hey, it’s not like I’m that hungry!” Terapagos spoke before his crystalline shell vibrated with a sparkling sound. He put a foot on it and sheepishly smiled. “Um, yeah, scratch that, hehe…”

  Banny blinked for a moment before turning around and muttering for herself. “I’m so glad deities like them don’t prey on mortals…”

  During the walk towards the restaurant, the group could hear some of the town's Pokémon gossiping about the three exotic Pokémon that walked through the streets. Kirby could hear all kinds of talk coming from the Pokémon they passed by—basically, more of what he had heard when going to Terapagos’ home, but with him included in the talks.

  “Oh look, it’s the elder!”

  “Is that what he looks like? He’s such a cutie!”

  “Why is there an Ultra Beast with him? Aren’t they known as savages?”

  “I dunno, that one looks weaker than the others…”

  “Who’s that pink one with them too?”

  Even if the kartana didn’t have eyes, her head turned to the Pokémon who said she looked weak. Kirby expected anger to overflow out of her, however, she just laughed sassily before turning forward again. “Oh, they barely know that I could destroy an entire house in a single cut.”

  “W-what…?” Banny asked a bit in nervousness.

  “Do not worry about that, Banny, Kiri knows better than to do that to demonstrate her potential with such a reckless reason,” Shitsuji stated with a knowing tone. “After all, I already told her that this world is not ruled by strength, unlike hers.”

  Karikiri huffed before doing her best to cross her paper arms. “Hmph, I still think your world should have more tests of strengths! I need to rule at least something!”

  “I’m sure something like a coliseum or an arena exists around here! After all, Pokémon like battles, don’t they?” Kirby assured before asking the scorbunny.

  “Yeah, we do. But, you know… not all Pokémon are battle fanatics, like how I was some time ago.” She answered while scratching the side of her head.

  The Ultra Beast put a paper flipper on her chin. “Ooooh, a coliseum, you say?” She slowly turned to the mayor of the town with a needy tone in her voice. “Heeeeeey Suji-”

  “No.” The indeedee quickly responded.

  The kartana started circling around in front of the indeedee as he kept walking normally with a still face. “OH COME ON, I didn’t even say what I wanted yet!”

  “I know what you want, and the answer is no. I will not build a coliseum here. Leave that to the Pokémon in Fengarion kingdom, you shall find lots of arenas and tournaments for you to participate in over there.” He crossed his arms behind his back. “We shall only use Agyneastra’s funding for vital infrastructure for the town to prosper, especially security in these hard times.”

  “Aww… but I wanted to fight strong Pokémon…” She dejectedly spoke before adding. “I feel so rusty after staying in that chest for so long!”

  “And that is what we are gonna discuss over our lunch,” Shitsuji spoke before stopping and turning to what seemed a random building. However, it was quickly made clear to Kirby that it was a restaurant, called Chef Saki’s Kitchen with the face of a… narwhal, no, it was an otter with the helmet of a narwhal. This otter also had some white whiskers that almost looked like a mustache too. “Right here.”

  The mayor entered the establishment, pushing the double doors open with a simple and light telekinetic pulse. Kirby’s eyes glittered in excitement, thinking of all the delicious food he’d be able to eat in there. He dashed right in, followed by an excited Terapagos and Karikiri as well. Banny sighed and muttered to herself while entering the restaurant. “Don’t worry Banny, Kirby knows how to behave himself… deity or not.”

  The inside of the restaurant was very elegant, with some stylistic blocky decorations with lanterns, a blue wave pattern on the walls, and some unlit candles on the short tables. The whole place reminded the puffball of a samurai dojo rather than a restaurant, but it was obviously the latter because of the tables lying around and the smell of delicious food, steaming from the kitchen.

  A small bead of drool escaped Kirby’s mouth as he continued smelling the delicious smell coming from the food around him. However, he was quickly pulled out of it when more of the gossip (this time inside the restaurant) could be heard. He then decided to ignore it after seeing where Shitsuji was seated.

  With everyone seated at a table close to the establishment’s window, Kirby waddled his feet while asking the indeedee. “When can we order? Just having this food all around me just feels like they’re teasing me!”

  “Patience is a virtue, Kirby. Do not worry; we will order once the waiter arrives. I assure you, the food here is worth it," he said calmly.

  Terapagos lifted a foot with a smile. “I can definitely confirm that claim! This place’s food is amazing, both the herbivore and carnivore’s set!”

  “Seriously!?” Karikiri blurted out loud before shaking in heavy excitement on the table. “One thing to come out of me being in the chest was the delicious food waiting for me all these years later!!!”

  Banny picked up the menu that was lying on the table and looked at the kartana a bit confused. ”Actually… how did you survive without food or water for years in that chest?”

  “It was thanks to my crystals of course!” Terapagos said while raising his claw. “I made some modifications for them so that they could provide energy as an alternate form of nourishment.

  “Wait… so those crystals back in Meteorite Woods… they were modified Tera Crystals?” Kirby asked curiously. “And those same crystals could be used as weapons?”

  The crystal turtle tilted his head confusedly. “Weapons…?”

  The indeedee adjusted his glasses and looked away a bit nervously. “I…” He cleared his throat, putting a paw in front of his mouth. “I may have given a bit of the crystal to it to power it up… I did not want Kiri’s chest to be stolen by any means.”

  “What!? But what did I say about not using my crystals for lethal purposes!? I already got my crystals being used by those criminals and cultists to make weapons, but now you do it as well?” Terapagos berated, a furious scowl on his face. However, that scowl did nothing but make him cuter.

  This was funny for Kirby considering that Shitsuji fully turned to the turtle and bowed on his hay seat, his horns even touching the floor. “I deeply apologize, Elder Terapagos. Please forgive me.”

  “Hmph! Always so impulsive and reckless for just simple causes…” His disapproving face quickly morphed into a smile as he patted the indeedee’s head. “That’s why I like you so much, hihihi!”

  Banny blinked in utter surprise before leaning close to Karikiri and asking in a whispering tone. “Are… are they normally like this…?”

  “Yep, always have been ever since I met ‘em!” The kartana spoke with a giggle.

  During their interactions, another Pokémon Kirby had never seen before approached their table slowly with their tentacles. They seemed to be a big orange octopus with big round eyes and a cylindrical mouth, wearing a blue band around their head. They pulled out a notepad and pen from behind them and held them with their tentacles. “Are you ready to order?” They asked with a male voice. He then focused his stare at Shitsuji and Terapagos. “Mayor? Elder?”

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  In the blink of an eye, Shitsuji returned to his seated position and immediately turned to the waiter. “Yes, we are.” He adjusted his glasses again and ordered. “I’ll have the usual.”

  Terapagos smiled while his tail swished from side to side. “I’ll take the wishiwashi soup please, my good sir!”

  Kirby inclined his body close to Banny, wanting to read what was on the menu. Kirby, couldn’t read anything for longer than two sentences, because he would easily get bored while reading anything. But if it was the menu for a restaurant? Ohoho that would be a completely different story. “Ooooh, so much good stuff!” He said while reading the menu and looking at the drawn images of the food. He then pointed his nub to the dish that he wanted, a small mountain of food called: “The Ultimate Wave”. The puffball looked back at the waiter and asked. “Can I have this Ultimate Wave, please!?”

  The scorbunny put her paw in front of the astrali. “Woah, woah, woah, Kirby, calm down! Look at how expensive this is! Do you really expect me to pay for all of that? My allowance-”

  “There is no need to hold yourselves back, I shall pay for it. This is a special moment, after all. A change in our town that would happen to be for the better.” Shitsuji said with a smile.

  “B-but… didn’t you say the town’s funding was low?” Banny asked, obviously in an attempt to turn down the offer.

  The indeedee chuckled. “Do not think like that, it makes me look like a bad mayor. I am not corrupt enough to use the town’s funding for my personal needs. This is my own money, of course.” He turned back to the octopus Pokémon. “So yes, we would like The Ultimate Wave too.”

  “Um… I’d like just a normal berry salad with a bit of olive oil, please.” Banny ordered. Before the waiter could jot it down completely, Karikiri snatched the menu from the rabbit’s paws. “H-hey!”

  “And I’d like… hm… ah! Tauros Slice ‘n Dice sounds delicious to me!” The kartana spoke before lowering the menu and looking at the cephalopod. “Can you grab that for me?”

  He noted that before looking up one last time. “Any drinks?”

  Terapagos answered happily. “Nothing can go wrong with an oran smoothie, isn’t that right, everyone?”

  Everyone at the table agreed, even Kirby who had also eaten an oran berry on the first day he had been to this world. With that decided, the octopus nodded and left the table.

  Karikiri turned her head to Shitsuji. “So Suji… what was that about making me back into shape again? Are we gonna go on missions again? Am I going to the strongest dungeons and defeating the nastiest feral Pokémon out there!? I’m itching for something!”

  “Unfortunately… Kiri, times are not like before. Things change and by a lot…” The mayor responded. “I have no time for such things anymore, as the guildmaster and the mayor who wants to oversee the safety of this town by all means necessary. You haven’t seen it yet but the abundance of those cultists acting like criminals is very frightening.”

  “Cultists…? What cultists?” The kartana asked while one of her antennae twitched.

  Shitsuji blinked before sighing. “I… forgot you were sleeping throughout the entire conversation back at the elder’s place…”

  Terapagos put his forelegs on the table and spoke to the Ultra Beast. “Okay, short of it. Cultists around the entire continent are running amok in concerning numbers. Agyneastra town is getting affected by a lot of them since they are stealing my crystals. Since Kirby is a special kind of otherworldly creature, we asked him and Banny to help us with the cultist problem and he might be the key to solving this madness… at least in our town.”

  “Oh, I see.” Karikiri remained silent for a moment before pointing an arm at Kirby and asking while not even looking at him. “What do you mean he’s special?”

  “He’s a… demigod apparently,” Banny responded with a shrug.

  The kartana stayed silent for a moment before sucking in a massive breath through her weird… mouth. However, before she could release a loud shout, her mouth was held shut by a small flow of psychic energy circling around the folded points of her mouth. And all that left it were muffled sounds.

  “Scream about that another time, however, over here would not be recommended.” The indeedee said with his paw having a small and faint psychic aura before it disappeared completely, releasing the kartana’s mouth.

  The Ultra Beast stood there silently before flying directly to Kirby and grabbing his sides, squishing him a little. She whispered a bit loudly. “HOW!?”

  “Uh… I was… born one.” Kirby nervously stated. “I discovered that a few years ago…”

  Karikiri’s antennae started to run all over the puffball’s squishy body before stopping. She then let out excitedly. “Oh my gosh!!! You’re really the definition of super cute, but super deadly! I can smell the power coming from you very much!” She turned to the guildmaster and mayor after releasing Kirby. “Can I fight him? He seems to be an actual challenge for me!”

  The indeedee put a paw up. “And that is what I wanted to discuss. You shall not be fighting him. I would like to request you join Kirby and Banny’s team to help them out with the cultist issue.”

  Banny’s eyes widened. Thank goodness she didn’t have a drink on the table or else she would’ve spit everything back out in the moment. “What!?”

  The astrali gasped as well, not in surprise, but in excitement. “Are you gonna become a new friend!?”

  “Team… fighting against… cultists?” Even though her biology denied her a smile, it was fairly obvious from the way she twitched and shook that the excitement levels in her body were increasing. Before she could manage to let out the biggest squeal she could muster, Shitsuji came in clutch when he closed the four corners of the kartana’s mouth with telekinesis. However, that did not stop her from flying around the table while spinning her body and muffledly screaming. That lasted for a good ten seconds before she stopped flying around and levitated between Kirby and Banny. She then wrapped her two arms behind Team Star Warriors and pulled her closer to her for a hug, the indeedee freeing her mouth from the telekinesis. “Yes, yes, yes, I accept!”

  “Yay! Welcome to Team Star Warriors!” Kirby replied excitedly, not minding the sharp edges of the Ultra Beast poking him.

  However, Banny did. “Hey, I know you’re excited to be on our team, but please stop with the hug. Your body is like a ferrothorn’s!”

  “Oops, my bad!” She let go of the two explorers and rubbed her arms sheepishly. “Sorry, can’t help but be excited. We’re gonna kick so much butt you won’t believe it!”

  “Once we return to the guild, I shall sign the official documentation of her inclusion to the team. However, I do hope you take her implementation well with the team.” Shitsuji turned to the scorbunny. “I apologize if this was sudden for you Banny. Desperate times call for desperate measures, after all.”

  “I… I understand. It’s just…” The bunny sighed and rested her hands on the table. “It’s just a lot to take in, you know. Not only do I have to come to terms with Kirby’s origins, which… I’ll be honest, but I also haven’t really gotten over it 100%, and now combined with a new teammate while being assigned to combat against cultists? It’s just… a bit overwhelming.”

  The puffball frowned before inching closer to Banny and putting a nub on her back. The scorbunny looked at Kirby with a frown as her ears folded forward. “Hey, Banny… it’s gonna be alright. You’re strong, stronger than what you make it out to be! Remember what we did as a team against the mean crystal golem?”

  “I… yeah, I remember,” Banny sheepishly spoke while rubbing the back of her head.

  “And remember how you held your own during Meteorite Woods and even helped me in the battles there?” Kirby asked another question as his smile increased.

  “Yeah, I do…” The rabbit said as her mouth was starting to twist into a smile.

  “Don’t worry about a thing, Banny! As a team, we’ll be able to overcome any bad guy on our way! You can count on me to help you!” The puffball said before putting his other limb on his own body and making a spinning gesture with it.

  The kartana got in front of them again and raised her arm in the air. “Same! Not only am I Ultra Besties with Kirby, but I can also be besties with you! We’re all gonna be on a team after all! I ain’t like the other Ultra Beasts when they came out of their brainwash, ya know?”

  Banny managed to smile fully now, Kirby sensing that she got the motivational boost that she needed. “Thanks, guys! I’ll hopefully not disappoint both of you!”

  “I know you won’t because, like I said before, you’re stronger than you think you are!” Kirby spoke reassuringly.

  The touching moment was interrupted when the octopus came back again, holding five trays with each tentacle in the air while moving the remaining three. He then put down each tray on the table, the exact food being placed in front of the Pokémon who ordered along with the smoothie. Kirby’s eyes glistened in sheer awe of the mountain of food placed on his plate. Covered in salt and a mix of other condiments, the pile of meat, berries, and vegetables stood tall at almost 20 centimeters of height.

  “Oh wow, the food came so fast!” Karikiri said before floating to her side of the table and looking at her own food. “Don’t remember the restaurants being so fast with food delivery. Times really did improve for the better!” The kartana then slowly tilted her head and looked at the obvious mountain of food standing in front of the puffball. “He’s… not gonna eat all of that alone… right?”

  Terapagos looked at the pile of food as well and frowned. “Kiri is right… I’m concerned about whether you can eat all of that, Kirby. Are you even sure you’re able to handle all of that with your small-”

  Banny put a paw up while saying. “Hold that thought, Elder.” She then pointed another paw at Kirby who began opening his mouth wide. It was then that a great deal of the air in front of him started getting sucked like a vacuum torwards his gaping maw. But it wasn’t just the air, no, it was the entire mountain of food in front of him .

  While Kirby patted his belly for the meal he just ate in a second, Terapagos and (probably) Karikiri held shocked reactions as to what they saw. The entire food piece was gone in a second and directly into Kirby’s mouth. They were even more shocked that, despite swallowing a whole pile of food without munching, Kirby was still the same size as ever, nothing had changed in the slightest. “W-... what…? How is that even possible?” The crystal turtle asked while shocked.

  “Are you some type of guzzlord lite or something!? Of all the Ultra Beasts and Pokémon I’ve seen while in this world, you’re the one that least makes sense!” Karikiri spoke while shocked.

  Kirby then responded. “How am I not making sense? I was just hungry so I just ate!” Kirby responded with an innocent smile before taking a sip of the oran smoothie.

  Blank stares came from the turtle and the origami creature followed before Banny intervened. “Trust me, that’s the least weird thing he could do.”

  “I concur,” Shitsuji added as well while rightening his glasses.

  Karikiri and Terapagos looked at each other for a moment before both uncertainly nodded and dug into their meals.

  After a hearty meal, it was the middle of the afternoon. The sun was a bit above the mountains, continuing to shine its rays upon the world below. The group had left the restaurant and took a wagon ride back to the guild.

  Now back in the guildmaster office, Team Star Warriors with their new member were discussing the cultist situation along with Shitsuji, Krystal, and Terapagos.

  “Shitsuji, are you sure that letting them handle this situation is really a good idea? Not even our best teams are having an easy time with these cultists, why do you think those three will be able to do anything?” Krystal asked, her cautious and questioning personality just making her very inquisitive about the situation.

  The kartana floated closely to the espathra and wrapped an arm around the back of her neck. “Buddy, friendo, pal, partner… do you want a very silly and very small demonstration of my power to see if you can change your mind about me and my besties very quickly?”

  Krystal blinked as the looming and menacing Ultra Beast offered. She then looked aside with a very nervous frown. “You know what…? You may be good enough for this… go on.”

  Karikiri snorted before floating back to her new team. “As I expected!”

  Shitsuji sighed and crossed his arms while turning to the ostrich. “I know this last-minute arrangement might seem like I was desperate, and truthfully, I was a little, but you have to put a little more faith in them. I might seem to take reckless actions in this situation, but I know what I am doing and I do know my limits.”

  “Yeah, I’ve known him long enough to know that he is not a rash thinker,” Terapagos added before turning to Team Star Warriors. “Alright then, now onto the main topic of this meeting: the cultists. Obviously, town patrol is not enough.”

  Banny put a paw on her chin as she hummed in thought. “We need to conduct an investigation, find out where the source of these cultists is, and strike there.”

  “It’s easy to identify them. They are Pokémon fully cloaked with these black cloths with these eye markings on them.” The indeedee explained which made something spark in Kirby’s mind, his eyes widening. “Hm? Something wrong, Kirby?”

  Kirby hummed a bit in frustration, trying to remember what he saw. “When… when I was in the jail… I saw one of those cloaked guys in a jail cell. I don’t know if it was my imagination since I was going so fast.”

  Krystal tilted her head. “Really? That’s strange, I don’t remember hearing that one of those cultists was arrested at all. And trust me, I have a good memory.”

  “Wait, really?” Kirby asked, receiving a nod from the espathra. He looked down, starting to think back on the entire jailbreak. He was not hallucinating at that moment; he knew what he saw. But… if they weren’t even arrested, what were they doing there?

  The indeedee put a paw on his mouth as he thought a bit more about it before shaking his head. “In any case, we need to investigate. Gather clues from the townsfolk, and gather clues on where they are hiding. Any clues to lead at least one cultist are good enough.”

  “Ooooh, I see, planning on an interrogation with them? I see!” Karikiri added as she brandished her blade arms. “Guess who’s becoming the bad cop~”

  “That is for later. But at least for tomorrow, we are only gathering clues and hints to know where those unjust cultists are hiding,” The mayor said before sighing. “Alright, I feel like this should cover all the bases.”

  “Do not forget that those cultists are all after my Tera Crystals, so they must want them for something… something potentially awful.” Terapagos reminded, a small frown adorning his face.

  Kirby then smiled determinedly. “Don’t worry guys! Team Star Warriors will do their best to try and stop these cultists from showing up around Agyneastra for good!”

  Banny clenched her paw and responded. “Yeah! For the sake of our town, we’ll stop this mess for good!”

  Karikiri put her arms together and made small cuts in the air. “Y’all said it, baby! Time to slice and dice those baddies!”

  However, while Team Star Warriors were having that discussion with their superiors, it seemed that a certain jigglypuff with a red ribbon was hearing everything behind those doors. One very angry jigglypuff. ‘How DARE that gumball’s team be getting a secret and important mission while my perfect and cutie team doesn’t!?’

  The balloon Pokémon growled silently to herself before starting to manipulate the winds using fairy magic to float away. “So they’re gonna be combating cultists eh? Hah, nothing that Team Cuties can handle! I’ll show that ugly and nasty gumball that there is only ONE pretty and strong puffball on these parts, and that will be ME!”