Toxic Bonds [One-Shot]

Astrid gazed longingly at the multi-colored water and wondered how a lake could look so delicious. She gradually oozed over to the water's edge and stuck one of her sludge tendrils in it. A little spicy, a little savory, a little bitter, she'd never tasted a cocktail like this before.

"These liquids... They're like the ones...From long ago!" Kasimir said, groaning out each phrase as was natural for a Muk.

Kasimir retracted his slimy claw from the lake before wading in, his "Alolan rainbow" sludge body mixing with the water. He released contented sigh as he floated on top, soaking in the nutrients. Unlike Astrid's dark purple "Kantan" form, Kasimir's blended in with the lake's chromatic surface.

"You know...About these tasty liquids? I have never...Consumed such a--" Astrid let out, before Kasimir cut her off again.

"Because... you are young! I have seen...This world...I know it...Much better...Than You...These sorts of foods...They are rare...But they Benefit...All of Muk-kind!"

Astrid stayed silent at the water's edge as Kasimir made animated gestures while talking. She knew better than to interrupt when he got this way. He was larger and had jagged claws, so she just let him talk over her. She had no idea why his rambling amused Hanako so much.

She'd brought both Astrid and Kasimir to the lake as part of her job. Astrid wasn't sure what the exact nature of Hanako's job was, but today it involved dressing up in heavy clothes and talking with a bunch of other humans outside, while Astrid and Kasimir examined the strangely appetizing lake.

And so far, the lake felt fantastical and looked dream-like. Its existence pleased Astrid greatly. She just wished she had someone else to enjoy it with. What she could see below the surface was devoid of any life, Pokémon or otherwise.

Minutes passed by as Astrid waited for Kasimir, still enjoying his float on the surface, to let her dive and properly investigate the water. Biding her time on the shore, Astrid noticed a dark blob approach the surface, separating into smaller parts before breaching through surface, attracting Kasimir's attention too.

The cluster of Amorphous Pokémon crept out of the water and reformed into their usual shapes. Astrid stared at the familiar-looking group of poisonous sludges long enough that they too began to stare back. She couldn't help it; Astrid had never seen so many Grimer and Muk amassed in a single location in a long time. Kasimir was the only other Muk she regularly interacted with, and even then, his bright pattern and protruding shards showed that they weren't the same. But these Grimer and Muk, the mostly homogenously colored ones approaching her, they looked like her.

"Welcome, friend...You are unfamiliar," spoke one of the Muk among many. "Are you from...Another family?"

Astrid was, but not one entirely of Muk. It was her and Kasimir and also her Human Hanako with her parents, Judith and Ben, and siblings, Levi and Tamiko, and their Farfetch'd, Daisy. But Astrid knew that what he asked about was her family of Muk and Grimers, Pokémon who were only distant memories to her, despite shared DNA. She gurgled in place while trying to formulate an answer.

Kasimir injected himself in between the two. He out-massed even the biggest of the other Muk, which let him dominate the conversation.

"Friends...I came here...To investigate...This bountiful lake..." Kasimir stated. "This chemical mix is like Ambrosia...I have tasted it."

"You know...Of Ambrosia?" asked an odd green-colored Muk, who seemed to be deteriorating from age. "To think...A stranger...Would know this legend!"

Kasimir raised his dominant arm in the air, showing his toxic claws. Astrid knew he was just posturing, but she didn't feel any safer seeing this behavior repeated here. Kasimir let the others regain their composure before continuing.

"I am...No Stranger! I, Kasimir, am...Just as much of...A Muk...As you! I may live...With humans...But my Heart is...Of a Muk!"

Kasimir's dramatic display stirred up a wave of support from the crowd. The green Muk approached his Alolan counterpart with arms wide.

"Brother...You are a true friend...It is good to hear...That we are blessed by Ambrosia." More Grimer approached to hear the stranger, splitting off from the more cautious group. Astrid could see Kasimir was dragging her into a divisive argument she wanted no part of.

"The lake is definitely...The Ambrosia of legend...Its taste is too succulent...I felt my body...Revitalize," Kasimir expounded.

"Yes, yes...Our nest in the deep...It is rich in sustenance...I feel this is true...Brothers!" the green Muk concurred, speaking to the others as much as to Kasimir.

"Zelen...I doubt...The words of the stranger," an orange-ish Muk spoke up. "Ambrosia...Will bring Bounty...The lake...Is now empty...Except for Muk...Is this bounty?"

"Burtuqali...you doubt the presence...of our bounty?" Zelen accused. "You forget...our stories!"

"She clearly does...The Lake is a bounty...We have all tasted it," Kasimir added, shooting Burtuqali a haughty look and drawing mummers among the present Grimer and Muk. Burtuqali grimaced and shot back.

"I do not forget! I am the storyteller...I know these stories...Better than all of you!" Burtuqali responded pointing her dripping fingers at Zelen and Kasimir. "Ambrosia is life...The story of ...The Old Lake and Pond...Is plenty proof! Do you stoop so low...As to believe...This Stranger who speaks of Ambrosia...But gives us bog water?"

Clamoring from both Grimer and Muk filled the air. Astrid had never seen Kasimir look so dumbfounded or angry before. Burtuqali was surrounded by the parts of the family that supported her, so Kasimir couldn't just swing at her. Astrid knew that he couldn't do anything, but just try to shout over her.

So that's what he did. Kasimir groaned loudly and Burtiqali responded in kind and Zelen and the rest tried to keep the two separated. As the debate degraded further, Astrid slowly slinked away from Kasimir's side, trying to find an excuse to move elsewhere.

In the distance, two floating Pokémon were that excuse.

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Further away, Hanako was speaking in a crowd of humans dressed similarly to her. Astrid couldn't hear what they were saying from this distance, but imagined she wouldn't understand them anyway. Most of them were recognizable. They were Hanako's coworkers, locals who'd accepted her into her new job. While Astrid had tried to be friendly with them, they had mostly kept their distance from her and Kasimir, who frightened them.

One of the strangers released a couple Pokémon, attracting Astrid's attention again. The Starmie and the other one, a large floating metal creature resembling a human-made bell, after listening to that stranger talk to them, levitated to the shore. Astrid transferred herself over to that part of the lake as quick as she could, leaving Kasimir with the rest of the Muk family.

The Starmie dipped its blue points into the shore of the water, no longer levitating, but instead absorbing some of the lake water. Neither the Starmie nor its companion moved as Astrid approached them, but instead remained almost completely motionless, not even facing each other, until the Starmie shifted colors momentarily and sharply removed itself from the lake.

"Ah friend! Are you okay?" Astrid vocalized, rushing over to the Starmie, who stood on its points in the sand. The large metal one turned to face her, Astrid assuming the colored engravings on their side was their face. "What happened...Did something...Hurt you?"

"Who are you? What damaged the lake? Was it you?" Astrid heard rapid fire in her brain, understanding the words, but feeling uncomfortable about the intrusion.

"Friend...If you are hurt...I can help...The lake is... Very comfortable...For Muk...Do you not...Like it?" Astrid asked, reaching out to help, only for the Starmie to recoil away.

"Do not touch me. This lake is poisonous. You are poisonous," It psychically communicated to her.

"O young Muk, do not be deterred by my ally. Baoshi is a forthright soul only startled by the noxious character of the lake," The sentient floating object communicated at Astrid, staring at her, unblinking.

"Let me bridge the gap between us. My name is Jinyou. We are the companions of Xiao Qing and hail from the Gold City in the west. Tell us your name, Muk."

"I am Astrid...From this City...Celadon....I live with...Hanako...The woman over there," she gestured towards the group of people. "I also live...With Kasimir...That brightly colored Muk...Approaching us."

"It is wonderful to make your acquaintance, Astrid from Celadon. I presumed that you were of the same clan as the rest of the Muk at this lake. It is only natural, considering the nature of the lake at the present moment," Jinyou elucidated.

"You have already...Met the other Muk...In that family?" Hanako asked.

"We already knew about them. Qing told us. She said that the lake has Muk. That it is toxic. That it needs to be cleansed," Baoshi informed her, now upright and detoxified.

"Cleansed...of Muk?" Astrid almost shouted, understanding Baoshi's words, but not its logic. This place was the perfect home for someone of her species. Where would that family live without that lake?

"Who dares...Threaten...The Cleansing of Muk?" Kasimir made himself known to the three of them. "Astrid...Who are the strangers?"

"Aaaa...This is Jinyou...and Baoshi," Astrid told him. "They are from...The east...They are here...To clean up...The lake."

"Clean up?!" Kasimir growled at the pair of strangers, baring his claws. The sight provoked Baoshi to spin its second set of points rapidly and increase the intensity of its gem's light. Jinyou merely fixed their gaze on Kasimir while transmitting their thoughts.

"O Astrid--"

"Big Muk rejects psychic transmission! Why?" Baoshi interrupted as it stared down Kasimir.

"Astrid's companion is surrounded by a darkness that voids our powers," Jinyou informed the two. "It would benefit us all, Astrid, if you could convince your friend to cease his aggression. This confrontation would have a grim ending."

Astrid's brain hurt trying to understand the pair sending overlapping thoughts into her head, but tried to stop Kasimir regardless.

"Kasimir, please!...They do not mean that...I only...Said it wrong," Astrid pleaded, waving her stubby arms in front of him. "They can only...Talk to me...They don't want to fight."

Kasimir stared back at the levitating Jinyou, whose eyes resembled the headlights of an automobile, and at Baoshi, whose spinning slowed slightly and core glowed more gently, and lowered his claws.

"Hear me, psychics!...Do not trifle...With me...Or with the Muk! This lake...Is ours!" Kasimir yelled. Jinyou attempted to nod in response while Baoshi simply shot a simple "Fine" to Astrid, which she dutifully relayed. Convinced of his success, Kasimir turned to leave.

"Astrid...Come...We must investigate...Further...The bountiful lake."

She hesitated before following in his footsteps. The pair of psychic types returned to their analyzing the lake, Jinyou sending a parting "Farewell, Astrid" at the crestfallen Muk.

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Hanako and Qing's voices rose until their argument devolved into shouting. Qing stormed off, accompanied by her only two friends, while Kasimir remained at Hanako's side. Astrid pretended not to be there the whole time. She couldn't really understand the details of what the two of them were arguing about, anyway.

A day had passed since Astrid had first seen the lake and its inhabitants and she was still processing what she had heard from the other Muk and those two psychic Pokémon. Tensions between the humans and between the Pokemon seemed volatile today, with some of the Grimer and Muk more aggressively patrolling the shore, realizing something was coming. Astrid had spent most of the day so far avoiding Kasimir, who acted more domineering than usual, and waiting for Hanako to take a break for even a moment.

Hanako sat down for a smoke break, Kasimir soothed by the cigarette's fumes. Qing seemed to have secluded herself in the comforting hollow interior of her companion Jinyou's body, as the lines in their body glowed with an ethereal light. Astrid wasn't sure why she'd hide most of her body in the bell-like floating structure, but none of the other humans seemed to understand either. Not wanting to be with any of them, save Hanako, Astrid distanced herself from everyone. Maybe Hanako would come then.

She did not come. No one else did, either, too preoccupied with whatever human business they came here for. Astrid considered returning to the lake for a dip in its waters, but figured that'd only provoke someone. She just stewed in her own spot for a little bit.

"I apologize, Astrid, for what had transpired in front of you." The only amicable one of the bunch, Jinyou floated next to Astrid and struck up a conversation. "It was not our intention to cause such an uproar. Qing just becomes emotionally invested in these matters."

"It's not a problem...Really...I'm okay over here...I'm just...A little overwhelmed...It's been a long...Couple of days." Jinyou remained silent, Astrid unsure how to interpret their actions. Changing their tone to one more wise and teacher-like, Jinyou spoke.

"Are you aware of the great turmoil that engulfed the land for the past decade? We Bronzong have long memories and longer lives, but that is not a gift that many have received."

"Turmoil? I do not know...But last year...I do remember...It was very scary...We didn't leave home much," Astrid responded, trying to piece things together.

"I have existed on this plane for a long time and been the partner of Xiao Qing for a decade and a half. During my years, I endured miseries, but none greater than the Great Catastrophe, the horror from the East."

"Many Pokémon fled and perhaps even more were annihilated. I was Qing's steadfast companion for all of those years, years that we spent struggling to eat and to live," Jinyou recounted, their words conveying what their face could not. Astrid was unsure of how to respond, defaulting to waiting for Jinyou to recompose themselves before continuing.

"With the descent of darkness upon our lands came the destruction of our city and the lands around it. Malefic rain turned the water fetid and the fields barren. What was once verdant decayed and those of a biotic nature were afflicted by illness. Qing's skin degraded and Baoshi spent many a day motionless on the ground, flushing the toxins out of its systems. I prayed to Lugia, chanting and gonging every day to heal my companions. I fear what would have happened had I not."

"I...Oh Mew..." Astrid was still unsure how to comprehend all of this.

"The land the Xiao family worked became void of mint berries. Her brothers and many others left for the city. Qing was too afflicted to leave. All we could do was work to heal the land. With what little strength she had, she would curse the easterners as she examined the fields at my side. Month by month, I called forth rains from the heavens with Baoshi to cleanse the fields of their sickness. After four years, the tiniest weeds penetrated the surface. After five years, sickly crops emerged. After seven, our harvest had been completely revitalized. I still remember Qing picking the first berry and weeping at its taste."

"What we did to that field, we did to ten other fields, and soon a hundred more. And now, we've come to restore this lake to its former glory," Jinyou told her, wrapping up their story. "Perhaps you can comprehend the basis of our actions now."

"Your tale...Is hard to believe...But I think...I can understand you," Astrid replied. "But I don't know...If I want you...To change the lake."

Astrid swore she saw Jinyou shooting her a curious expression, despite their face being largely static.

"Your opinion on this matter is still like that of your companion."

Shaking her head vigorously, she mustered up the courage to explain her thoughts.

"No...I...There is a Muk family here...It is bigger than any...That I have seen before...They need this place...The water here...Is nearly perfect...I want them...To have healthy lives...Just as you want...For your family."

Astrid paused for a breath after letting out such a statement. Jinyou, still floating and expressionless, replied when she was ready.

"I respect your perspective. No one wants to be devoid of a home," Jinyou replied. "But I cannot in good faith, let the lake remain in its current state. The foul water may be salutary for the Muk, but the water is not for Muk alone. Consider the barren state of this place right now. Is it not empty, save for that family?"

Astrid recalled her brief investigation of the lake and Burtuqali's words. The lake was silent the whole time, even lacking the usual Pidgey and Oddish who thrived in these environments. Even humans gathered here only in small numbers and in strange garb.

"This lake...It is only...For Muk...But other lakes...They are for everyone," Astrid realized.

"I have restored multitudinous water sources in my life and all of them support diverse peoples. A lake that supports only one species is anathema to our principles."

Astrid could feel the conviction in their voice inside of her mind. It was strange that this object could contain so much emotion. If Kasimir could hear Jinyou's thoughts, Astrid swore they would come to blows. She wasn't sure how to continue in the face of such passion, but she tried anyway.

"I saw...That Muk family...They were arguing about the lake...Kasimir said it's made...of sacred Ambrosia...Some agreed...Others thought more like you."

"Ambrosia?"

"It's something...Kasimir always talks about...A legend passed down...In stories... About an environment perfect for Grimer and Muk...like this lake."

"And you believe you must safeguard this land based on that?"

"I don't know," Astrid admitted. "From what I've seen...In the last day...I just know...That I want some place...Where they can have...A good home."

Astrid wasn't sure how to continue so she stuttered and gesticulated until Jinyou spoke again.

"Myself and my companions, we intend to purify this lake regardless of your decision. If we don't, the pox that affects this lake will seep into the whole water table. This is the nature of things." Astrid received the Bronzong's silent gaze for a moment. She shifted uncomfortably for a moment before they continued. "Knowing that there are Muk with whom we have a common sentiment, such as yourself, allays my worries, if only a little."

"I think...I need some time."

"Please reflect upon the situation we are in. Later today will be the beginning of the cleanup operation. It would hurt me to see you as an enemy."

Jinyou heard their name called from the distance in a sharp tone. Qing was waiting, accompanied solely by Baoshi. They made some eloquent parting words and floated over to their companions. Astrid, alone, pondered.

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"Astrid, Kasimir, my sweets, are you ready?" Hanako asked her Muk, crouching down to look them both in the face. Kasimir let out a long, calm "...Yes..." while Astrid merely smiled back. The two of them had already been briefed by the water's edge. Hanako had told them to dive into the lake and locate the source of the chemicals affecting the water and begin cleaning it. Both her and Kasimir went hungry that day so that they could consume more. Baoshi, the agile Starmie, would accompany the two of them underwater and help communicate back to shore.

"Keep alert, keep in touch, and come back in one piece," Qing said to her Starmie before patting one of its points. Baoshi made some sort of delighted noise and calmly spun its secondary blades in preparation for the task ahead. Jinyou floated nearby and telepathically explained further.

"Oh Astrid, in our expedition, I shall be the conduit for communing between the land and the water. At such depths, I cannot reach the psyche of one such as yourself. Baoshi has a natural sense for these things. It can receive my thoughts and respond with its own. If the depths frighten you, rely on Baoshi as I have. No one is more capable in the water."

Astrid thanked the hovering Pokémon, only to be chided by Kasimir for trusting such a strange metallic intruder, or its enigmatic water-type friend. Astrid silently returned to her position at the shore, focusing on the mission instead of Kasimir's incensing actions.

"Muk, prepare to dive. I will monitor. Find the source. Eliminate the others if they become aggresive," Baoshi broadcasted to Astrid, not even bothering to face towards her. "Keep an eye on strange Muk. He is an anomaly. Situation could be dangerous."

With that last piece of advice, Baoshi flung itself into the lake, followed by Astrid and Kasimir oozing their way in. Once submerged, the pair found navigation had spiked in difficulty. Their physiology allowed them to remain submerged for much longer than other poison Pokémon, but movement was restricted to an awkward creeping forward. Astrid made her way through the murkiness, relying on her perception of toxicity levels to guide her towards the source. Keeping away from the pair, Baoshi easily navigated the waters, but twitched every so often, its gem losing a little luster. Astrid changed her coarse to check up on it, only to receive "Do not worry. Toxin level is tolerable." broadcasted into her mind.

As they approached the source of the contamination towards the bottom of the lake, Astrid could make out the outline of a large, pulsating dark mass. The image exhumed memories of Astrid's youth, when she was only one Grimer among many huddling together for safety. The closer they got, the more distinct each Muk and Grimer became. Baoshi's reaction to the sight opposed hers. It made a sound that Astrid figured was the psychic-type version of hissing.

Many among the mass notice Baoshi's approach, separating and slowly drifting towards it from different angles. Astrid felt "BACK OFF" echo in her head when the soon to be surrounded Starmie released a pulse of psychic energy from its core. But not enough of them did, and Baoshi was forced away from the Muk's home, darting about while firing warning shots from its energy-filled gem.

"Wait!" Astrid shouted, despite its futility.

"Let them...Pursue the Starmie," Kasimir said, moving in Astrid's path close enough to speak underwater.

"Why? We can stop them...From attacking Baoshi," Astrid asked, sick of Kasimir's attitude. "I must get through."

"That thing will destroy...Our people...Their home...Our home," Kasimir explained, unmoved in rhetoric and location. "It is best...This way."

"Baoshi and Jinyou...Both want what's best...For everyone...Whatever it is....that give us life...It hurts everyone else...The water here...Hurts Baoshi." Astrid felt a pit in her stomach as she argued, but persisted.

"This is the best home...For our people...If it hurts others...It does not matter...Only Muk matter."

"If only Muk matter...Then Listen to me!" Astrid felt possessed by new emotions. "Or to that Orange Muk...They must live...In coexistence with nature...Just as we do...With the rest of our family."

"They are not...Our true family." Astrid felt a profound shift in her psyche and held back no longer.

"How dare you!...After all of the things...We've lived through...Together!"

"Don't talk to me...Like that...You traitor!" Kasimir moved to strike Astrid, just like did to all the other things he didn't like. Only an amorphous orange blob intercepted him. Burtuqali slapped his hands away and struck a fighting pose.

Kasimir, enraged, swung his claws with great fury, despite the water's resistance. Burtuqali, too, unleashed her anger, tangling with Kasimir and forming a furiously vibrating blob made of two distinct color patterns. Astrid, still acting on impulse, moved to charge into the fray, but one "Go!" in Burtuqali's voice brought her to her senses. She had a mission to do.

The lake's taste became more pungent as Astrid dived further towards the bottom, reminding her of the emptiness in her stomach. The flavor that had delighted her at the surface now unsettled her, but she pressed deeper regardless. Chasing Baoshi left the Muk nest unguarded and unobscured by the usual mass of Pokémon. Through the haze, she could make out the source of all of the Lake's changes.

Before Astrid lay a field of plastic drum barrels, lids off and contents leaking out. On closer inspection, the barrels all had labels, illegible to her even without the persistent stinging in her eyes. She didn't know what any of this was or what it meant, but she was too hungry at this point to care. Reaching into the closest barrel, Astrid began to shovel handful after handful of the toxic goop into her maw. The taste and the spiciness overwhelmed her senses as no other food had.

"Get away! That is our Food!" Astrid heard from closer than she wanted, turning to see Zelen hurtling towards her. The green Muk tackled her, forcing Astrid against one of the barrels and beating on her with his viscous fists.

"Get off me!" Astrid fought back, trading blows with Zelen. Each hit hurt, but she'd been pushed around too much by other Muk that day to relent. "What is your problem?!"

Zelen could only spout gibberish over the sound of the limbs colliding with other body parts. Astrid had no idea what he said, but it wasn't important because in that split second of thought, Zelen landed another blow, pinning Astrid again.

"You threaten...Our food...You have to go!" He cried, Astrid flailing in vain.

"Remove yourself from her. I will use force!"

Astrid heard the familiar voice within her head. Zelen must have heard it, too, because his attention shifted to Baoshi, who floated nearby, gem radiating a threatening energy. Zelen let go of Astrid, only to charge Baoshi instead. "I'll kill you, freak!" was the last thing Astrid heard before a luminous ray shot through Zelen, disintegrating his midsection and sending his form plummeting to the ground.

In its moments of triumph, the powerful Baoshi , relieved of its duties, collapsed on the ground.

"Ah Mew!...Are you okay?" Astrid called out as she rushed towards the now sickly-looking Baoshi. Its core's light dulled and its star-shaped body lost its usual firmness and began to droop in Astrid's hands.

"The fighting draiNeD My enErGy. ToO MaNY tOXins In mY BoDy. mUSt ReCOver rIgHT nOw oR ElsE."

"Let me...help you!" Astrid declared, barely comprehending the noise Baoshi transmitting, but knowing how to help. She laid her hands upon its body and methodically started to absorb the savory poisons. As she extracted the toxins, Baoshi's gem glowed and began to allocate energy to the rest of its body, filling each point with vigor and firmness. After a couple minutes, the most egregious of pollutants resided in Astrid's body rather than Baoshi's.

"I return. The poisons are not too strong," the Starmie communicated, attempting to spin its rear blades and producing only a pathetic half-rotation. "My body needs rest now."

"Please...Friend...Let me bring you...To the surface...Rest there," Astrid offered, hoisting the exhausted Starmie on top her before it could reply. Her mode of propulsion, an amorphous sludge vigorously waving back and forth, was barely enough to gradually lift Baoshi from the depths. She was a vulnerable target and she knew it, and from the appearance of Grimer closing in on her, everyone else knew too.

"Back off!" she yelled, doing her best to look threatening with unwieldy cargo. When they didn't back off, she yelled again and again. She wouldn't stop until they did.

"That's enough!"

Another, more commanding voice halted everything. Burtuqali, ragged but victorious, made her way to Astrid's side. The Grimer glanced at each other, wondering what happened and who was in charge.

"We're getting these two...to the surface. Anyone...Who opposes this...Can get one...Of these!" Burtuqali announced, tearing through the water with her arm at high speed. Having no opposition, Burtuqali grabbed on to Baoshi and sped up the extradition process with her powerful "kicking".

"Thanks...For this...and for before."

"You're welcome...I understand the urgency...Of your task...This Starmie...Was attacked first...And avoided fighting...It deserves some rest." Despite her vigorous swimming, Burtuqali spoke as if they were normally conversing. "You need some rest also...Your argument with that Muk...Kasimir...You were brave...To stand up to him...He's quite imposing...Compared to you."

"I just...Got sick of listening to him...It all came out at once," Astrid replied sheepishly.

"Why do you...Put up with him?"

"He's family...My human...likes him."

"Rough...Well, at least...I sent him scrambling...To the surface," Burtuqali said with this pleased look. "He won't be...Bothering you for a while...I think."

"What about...You all...The green Muk...He's hurt at the bottom...I'm sorry...I fought him."

"Don't be...He needed a good thrashing." Burtuqali seemed awfully nonchalant about the whole thing. "We'll figure it out...ourselves...We know...This can't last forever...Maybe now...He realizes that...We'll all discuss it...Muk can live...In other places, too."

The surface approached more quickly after they started chatting. They shoved Baoshi on the dry sands and parted with pleasantries. Qing rushed over to Baoshi's side, feigning stoicism around the other humans, despite tightly hugging it. Baoshi got in a few words before it was returned to its Pokéball.

"Thank you, Astrid."

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Kasimir was confined to an indefinite time-out. Attacking another member of the family and inciting a brawl in a delicate environment was nothing to scoff at and when Hanako heard about the whole thing via Jinyou, she gave Kasimir the sternest lecture Astrid had heard from her. Astrid felt a warmth tempered by guilt as she enjoyed Kasimir getting chewed out and locked away. Hanako had a lot of uncomfortable things to explain to Qing, so Astrid made herself scarce. It was a good opportunity to admire the beach before it was cleaned, anyway.

"It brings me great satisfaction seeing you safe and on firm ground. I wish I could have aided you during the great frenzy underwater," Jinyou informed her, each word warmed with cheer, as he hovered over to her. "I must thank you again, young Astrid, for rescuing my companion from that perilous situation in the toxic depths. It means the world to me, and to Qing as well."

"It was nothing...Baoshi did all the fighting...After all," Astrid understated, retreating into herself a bit.

"We both know, friend, that you contributed much more than you admit. You can walk proud."

Astrid had never been called out like this before, but it was a pleasant change of pace.

"There you two are. Qing noticed your absence. Sent me to look." AS familiar terse voice entered Astrid's head, accompanied by Baoshi's floating to join them.

"Are you...Feeling better?"

"My body is healthy now."

"Thank you for your help...I was a goner...Without you."

"Eliminating threats is my job. Only doing my duty." Starmie paused for a moment. "You didn't need to help me. You cured my poison. You carried me to safety. That was just as useful."

"Making friends, Astrid?" Hanako approached the group, stooping down to Astrid's height and beginning to rub her head with rubber gloves. "Thanks again to the both of you for saving my little Astrid. I don't know what I'd do without her."

Baoshi and Jinyou probably replied to her psychically, but their stoic poses conveyed no information whatsoever. Astrid was too busy enjoying the head rubs to really care that much. Not far behind, Qing approached, straight-faced as always.

"Hey there, Ms. Xiao. Come for your Pokémon? Or perhaps one of mine?" Hanako, smirking, gestured at Astrid. Her own Pokémon came first, and after accounting for their safety, Qing walked directly to Astrid and stared down at her with a straight face and unyielding gaze. This gave way to a flood of emotion.

"Thank you...Thank you!" Qing got as close as possible to Astrid without touching her and expressed her gratitude through a few tears. "I don't know how I can repay you."

Astrid groaned words of reassurance at her, knowing Qing could understand only her tone anyway. Qing wiped the tears from her eyes upon remembering Hanako still there and hastily recomposed herself.

"If you'll excuse us, we still have work to do."Qing didn't bother to face either of them. "Baoshi, Jinyou. Now."

Jinyou and Baoshi both faced Astrid before communicating their parting words, then silently floating off. Astrid would be seeing them again soon enough anyway.

"Wow, I didn't think I'd get to see an emotion other than irritation from her." Hanako settled back on the ground, gentling rubbing Astrid again. "You know, I'm real proud of you. Saving that Starmie was a really wonderful thing to do. Plus, maybe Ms. Xiao will be less of a stick in the mud now. Maybe."

Astrid made the closest approximation of cooing a Muk could make. This praise was more than she'd expected, but she could get used to it. Astrid just hoped this was the worst of things for a while.