Previously on Oranges to Grapes...

After arriving with the Hell-Sent girls and Rika (and calmly chastising Director Clavell for his misdeeds), Chairwoman Geeta brings Camilla, Pico, Balto and the aforementioned group outside the Academy to begin their Treasure Hunt at last...

-

As all nine people exited the Academy and walked back down the long stairway, the group noticed something as the center of Mesagoza came into view: the normally-colorful Battle Court at the center of town had been reduced to an ordinary gray ring surrounding a Poke Ball image on a white background.

As soon as the group reached the bottom of the stairway, Geeta turned around to address the crowd, and Rika stood beside her. "Now, children," the chairwoman spoke. "It would be safe to assume that you saw the center of town as you were coming down the stairs, would it not?"

After all of them responded with a nod, Rika confirmed with, "My guess is that it is, Chairwoman."

"Then perhaps I should explain the Battle Court there," Geeta continued. "Earlier this week, though I can't give you the very day, I was making my rounds around the Paldea region to check in on my subordinates stationed at the other towns when I noticed the court's current state myself. I attempted to correct the situation myself, but any effort to restore the original design was met with a fair bit of difficulty. Anyone who touched the ring, or attempted to pass through it, was met with sudden pain that bruised their determination. After some time, I decided to postpone progress on that particular task and resumed my patrol, but when I noticed the domes around the West Province, I attempted to give the ones there a call on my Rotom Phone, but no one responded. Now I feel that the domes and the ring... may be connected."

Upon hearing that Geeta knew about the domes, Rosita shot Rika a smug look, to which Rika just rolled her eyes.

"That is why I have set this particular task upon you," Geeta continued. "If there is a chance the domes can be removed, the central Battle Court of Mesagoza may be restored to its former splendor once they are."

"Uh, quick question," Eartha said as she raised her paw, to which everyone directed their attention to her. "How exactly are we going to remove the domes if we can't touch them without disappearing?"

"That's probably where these come in," Camilla said as she, Pico and Balto produced their crystal scepters again. "I was told in a dream that Paldea was to face a crisis that would stop Terastalization, and that these were the key to avenging it."

"Hey, so was I," Balto said, "by a hexagon of light that called itself-"

"Terry?" Pico asked, and was answered with a nod.

"Then this may go deeper than I thought," Geeta mused. "So, using the information we have thus far, I decree that your Treasure Hunt begins with exploring the Paldea region to remove the domes, using those crystal scepters you have. As for the four guests of ours, I understand that you have explored the region already and fought against plenty of Diademons along the way, which is why I hereby appoint you as these students' personal guides, and if neccessary, their bodyguards. But before we begin, I believe some introductions among the group are in order. So, I shall start. I am Geeta, chairwoman and Top Champion of the Paldean Pokemon League, as well as the chairwoman of the Foremost World Renowned Pokemon Academy of Paldea's school board."

"And I'm Rika, Geeta's secretary and a member of the Paldean Pokemon League's Elite Four."

"Camilla Otore, first-year Academy student and resident of Los Platos."

"Pico Hatsuki, first-year Academy student and resident of Zapapico."

"Balto Mijuumi, first-year Academy student and resident of Porto Marinada."

"Rosita Verdes, resident of Los Platos as well."

"Jessica Winters, windmill engineer and repairwoman."

"Eartha Crust, aspiring Girl Scout extrordinaire."

"Dina Goldman, resident of Montenevera."

"Splendid," Geeta said with a smile. "Now, with all the formalities out of the way, Rika and I must return to our posts at the Pokemon League building, so best of luck to you all. Simply exit Mesagoza through the east or west gate, and your Treasure Hunt and mission shall begin. Come along, Rika."

"Right behind you, Miss Geeta!" Rika called as she followed the chairwoman back to work.

As soon as the two females from the Pokemon League were out of earshot, Rosita took over. "Okay, she's gone. First off, that meeting back at the Academy sure was scary, wasn't it? But it's nothing compared to what me and the others have gone through during our journey around the region, sorry you missed that. So I think she had the right idea making us bodyguards."

"Right," Jessica agreed. "As it stands now, there's 18 domes all over Paldea, and only seven of us. I say we split up so we can cover more ground, but each group has to have at least one bodyguard."

"Hmm," Dina pondered. "But how are we going to split up that way?" 

"I know," Eartha suggested. "Why don't we ask our new friends which domes they'd like to tackle?"

"Good idea," Camilla said. "As a matter of fact, I choose to clear the domes on the Path of Legends."

"I call dibs on the Starfall Street domes!" Balto piped up eagerly.

"And, full disclosure, I'm fine with it," Pico said, "but that leaves me to the domes along Victory Road."

"Then it's settled," Rosita said. "Eartha and I will accompany Camilla to start at the unbleached quartz dome past the east gate. Jessie and Dina, you go with Pico to the peridot dome over Cortondo past the west gate. Balto, you can follow either of us if you'd like. Once we manage to clear the domes there somehow, we'll regroup here in Mesagoza to see if the Battle Court changes. And... break!"

As the assigned groups split off, Balto flipped a coin from his pocket to pick who he'd go with. It landed on heads, so he chased after Pico's group. "Hey, guys, wait up! I'm coming with you!"

"Good choice," Pico said.

Jessica took notice of the husky, nodded to herself and cleared her throat. "So... Balto Mijuumi, is it?"

"That's me."

"Okay, now that I have the chance to ask this," the snow leopard started before a brief pause, "by any chance, you wouldn't be any relation to a Baron Rhett Mijuumi, perhaps?"

"Well, yeah, that's my dad," Balto confirmed. "You know him?"

"Well, as a matter of fact," Jessica said as they were coming up to the gate, "Rosita and I happened to meet him while we were visiting Porto Marinada for the auction once. He was nice."

"Really?" Dina chimed in, interested in the conversation... which was cut off from us because the doors of the gate were closed.

-

To be continued.