Previously on Oranges to Grapes...

Four anthros are headed to Mesagoza for their first day of school, not knowing what could be in store for them...

-

Camilla and Rosita were already approaching the southern gates of Mesagoza, ready to start the first day of their school year... or, at least, Camilla was.

"I know it's going to be tough to adjust to a new school," the bunny said to herself, "but I'm sure I'll manage. If I can make friends at my old home, I can do it again here."

Rosita, however, wasn't as chipper as her neighbor was. Her ears were folded down as she mumbled, "Why can't Mom understand that not all Pokemon can take being in Poke Balls, but they can still coexist with people? If Maschiff doesn't want to be kept in a tiny ball, then he shouldn't have to!"

"Bark! Bark!"

Just then, the caracal turned around and saw the rascal Pokemon bounding after her. "Maschiff! Come here, boy!" Her bad mood was already starting to dissipate now that her buddy wanted to come with her anyway-

But just before it could close the gap, a Quick Ball was thrown at the pup, and it swallowed him up in a flash of red light!

"Maschiff! NOOOOOOO!!!" Rosita shouted in anguish, but then she remembered the last several times Maschiff was ball-bopped and watched it struggle with hope. "Come on, come on, burst already..."

"Thoomp!"

But all her hopes were dashed in five seconds flat as the ball held still and a different student picked up their new prize. "Oh boy! No idea how a Maschiff got all the way here, but a Pokemon's a Pokemon, and I caught one!"

Her mother was right. Rosita couldn't get Maschiff to stay in a ball she threw, but some rando caught what she wanted... and now it was too late for her. She squandered her moment...

The independent study project didn't even start, and she already lost her treasure. The resulting anguish emenating from her caught the attention of a nearby stake...

-

Meanwhile, the Flying Taxi carrying Pico had just touched down at the eastern gate. "Well, here we are! The eastern gates of Mesagoza!" Hilda said after her flock of Squawkabilly stopped flapping their wings.

"Thanks, Hilda!" Pico said as he exited the cab. "And once I pass through that gate and enter the Academy, I'll be one step closer to becoming a Pokemon Trainer and taking in all of Paldea has to offer!"

"Good for you!" Hilda said with a smile, but suddenly there was a buzzing in her pocket. "Whoops, sounds like I'm on call again. Sorry I can't stay and chat, Pico, but as long as there are Pokemon Trainers in Paldea wanting to backtrack on their journeys and retrace their steps, I shall not rest. Come, Squawkabilly, we mustn't tarry!"

As the flock spread their wings and flew the cab away to Hilda's next passenger, Pico turned around and aproached the door to Mesagoza...

-

Just outside of Cortondo, however, Balto was still pedaling away on his bike, panting to keep himself cool. "Hah... hah... hah..." When he looked up from the handlebars, he found the western gates of Mesagoza in sight!

"Yay..." he panted. "I'm... almost... there..."

But with how far he rode his bike all the way from Porto Marinada, and how hot and muggy it was getting under his fur, the poor husky almost hit the wall when he came across a young girl and her Eevee sitting at a picnic table. The girl looked up from the table just in time to see Balto plugging along, so she decided to pipe up. "Excuse me, can I help you?"

Balto stopped his bike before answering breathily, "Actually... yes. Could I... trouble you for... something to... drink?"

Eevee already had a bottle of Fresh Water in his maw at the ready. The girl took it and gave it to Balto. "Here, drink this."

"Thank you," Balto said before twisting off the cap and pressing the bottle's mouth to his muzzle. He then took a few swigs and breathed a sigh of refreshment. "Ahh, that's better."

"So," the girl hazarded as she gave her Eevee some pets to thank him for helping, "what brings you all the way out here to Mesagoza?"

"I'm enrolling in the Academy today," Balto answered after a few more swigs. "Ahh... so I can prepare myself for the future."

"Interesting," the girl said.

"Speaking of which," Balto said with renewed energy, "I'd better get a move on now that I'm on the homestretch!" He then polished off the rest of the bottle and said, "Thanks again for the beverage!" before entering the gate...

-

Inside Mesagoza, a certain man was waiting at the front gate of the Academy in a burgundy version of his attire when a woman with brick-shaped hair approached him. "Director Clavell?"

"Yes, Ms. Tyme?"

"What brings you out here at the front gates of our school?" Ms. Tyme asked suspiciously. "This isn't going to be a repeat of what happened four years ago, is it?"

"Now, now, Ms. Tyme," Clavell explained. "I can assure you that my days of posing as Clive have been put far behind me, and that what I am doing here is perfectly legitimate. I have simply recieved word that four youths are going to enroll in our school, and after I completed business in my office, I have simply decided to personally welcome them to our hallowed grounds."

"I see," Ms. Tyme said, relenting. "Well, then I should head back. Do forgive my suspicions, Director."

"Ah, no harm done, no offense taken," Clavell replied. He then faced the gate again and added. "It won't be long before we add some fresh faces to the Foremost World-Renowned Pokemon Academy of Paldea!"