Previously on Oranges to Grapes...

During a friendly conversation over dinner, Camilla, Pico and Balto are called to the director's office. There, Director Clavell introduces the three to Professor Jacq...

-

"I knew it!" Pico boasted. "I knew my homeroom teacher was different than the brochure advertised!"

"Of course," Clavell admitted. "I had neglected to correct that minor detail when the letters were sent out. My mistake." He then cleared his throat and continued, "But more to the point, Professor Jacq is here to provide you three with your new Pokedex applications, fully up to date since four years have passed since its creation."

"Right," Jacq said. "I'll just need you three to take out your Rotom Phones so I can sync the info real quick."

All three anthros complied with the request, and in a few short seconds, their devices pinged to signal the process being completed.

"And we're done!" Jacq said, proud of himself. "Enjoy your new, up-to-date apps!"

"Thank you, Professor Jacq," Clavell said. "That will be all." He then shut off the monitor before adding, "Second, now that you three are official students of the Foremost World-Renowned Pokemon Academy of Paldea, I believe you should also have these." He then reached into his coat pocket and produced three keys. "These are the keys to your dormitories, where you will be sleeping. With these, you also have permission to arrange said rooms as you see fit."

Camilla accepted her key and said, "Thank you, Director Clavell."

Then Pico. "Awesome."

Then Balto. "Neat! Our own rooms!"

"And that is all I have to offer," Clavell said, "so enjoy your gifts, and your enrollment. Dismissed." After the three anthros exited his office, he looked at the lab equipment and thought to himself with nostalgia, Oh, Jacq, I may have lost two close friends of mine to unfortunate mishaps, but at least I can still keep you close, even if we aren't working together anymore...

-

Camilla walked up to the door marked with the same number on her key, and once she unlocked it, she stepped inside to find a blank room with the bare essentials: a bed, a counter with a sink and microwave, a wardrobe for clothes, and a desk.

"So, this is my own personal dorm," Camilla said as she closed the door behind her. "I think I can make this work." She then placed her hat and backpack on the rack by the entrance and sat down on the bed. "Ah... this is so comfy." But, suddenly she remembered what she said when she left Los Platos and took out her phone. After a few taps on the screen, the device floated out of her paws as the call was going through.

The screen showed the image of an elderly rabbit with long, gray hair who blinked a few times and asked, "Hello?"

"Hi, Grandma," Camilla greeted with a smile. 

"Oh, well, hello there, Camilla!" the elder rabbit exclaimed happily now that she knew who was talking. "How was your first day at the Academy?"

"Oh, it was great, Grandma!" the younger bunny answered. "Right off the bat, I made three new friends, and my teachers are all so nice."

"Well, that's good to hear, sweetie," her grandma said, but then her eyes looked off to the side. "Wait, is that... Rosita coming back to Los Platos?"

"Oh, she's back there, isn't she?" Camilla asked a little uneasy.

"Well, of course," her grandma reasoned. "Academy students from Los Platos can return there after school hours since it's closer to Mesagoza than other towns."

"Actually, Grandma, there's something you should know," Camilla confessed. "Rosita... didn't get in. They turned her away."

"Oh, dear," her grandma exclaimed. "Did they at least have a reason for why?"

"She badmouthed the Academy for... snagging her Pokemon."

"Well, it is a shame that you two won't be able to enjoy the Academy experience together," the elder rabbit said, "but don't let that keep you down. All children of Paldea are enrolled into the Academy for one purpose: to find something to treasure for the rest of their days. Perhaps Rosita isn't ready to start looking yet, but I have faith in you because it wouldn't have been easy to move away from your old home otherwise."

Camilla nodded and said with confidence, "You're right, Grandma. I may not share the academy experience with my neighbor, but I shouldn't let that stop me from finding my treasure. Besides, there's always next year."

"That's the spirit," her grandma said with a smile. "So, is there anything else you'd like to talk about before it's too late?"

"Mmm... Nope, that's pretty much it."

"Well, I'm glad you kept your word about calling me," the elder rabbit said. "I'll let you get back to settling in, then."

"Thanks, Grandma," Camilla said. "Talk to you later, then. Bye." And the screen went blank before her phone settled onto her new desk...

-

Meanwhile, Pico had settled into his room; also blank. He was just about to sit down at his new desk when...

"Ro-to-to-to-to... Ro-to-to-to-to..."

His Rotom Phone started ringing, and it flew in front of his face for him to touch the screen. "Hello?"

The screen displayed an image of another black lizard; this one with black, curly hair and eyelashes. "Hello, Pico."

"Oh, hi, Mama," Pico said. "What brings your face to my phone's touchscreen?"

"I'm just calling to make sure your first day of school was okay," his mother answered.

"Oh, it was fine, thanks for asking, Mama. I made some friends first rattle out the box, and I got my first Pokemon, too!"

"And your classes?" the lizard woman pressed. "How are you faring in that aspect?"

"Well," Pico explained, "it turns out that today was a 'Free Period Day,' so we're not having to learn anything until the Academy's 'special project' starts in two more days. I know it sounds odd, but that's what they told us here."

"I see," his mother mused. "And what exactly is this 'special project?' Could it be this 'independant study project' I've heard so much about from your sister?"

"Maybe?" Pico supposed. "I mean, she and I never talked about how her experience here was before she was transfered, so I'm just trying to work with what I know."

"Well, I'm not trying to compare notes or anything," his mother assured, "but I do want to make sure that you know why you enrolled in the first place."

"Of course I do, Mama," Pico said. "I'm here to find my treasure, and I already have a good idea what it is."

"Well, good," her mother said with a smile. "I'll let you get back to winding down, then."

"Okay, Mama, thanks for calling!" Pico said waving at the screen. "Bye!" And with a single tap, his phone went blank and settled down on the desk...

-

Last but not least, Balto had exited the bathroom of his room with a smile on his muzzle. "Whew! Thought I'd never get to go. I was holding that in for hours! Oh, before I forget..."

The husky then took his Rotom Phone out of his pocket and tapped the screen, and it hovered in front of him with his dad's face in view. "Hello?"

"Hi, Dad!"

"Hey, son, how's your day been?"

"Doing good, thanks for asking," Balto said. "I just got done with an eventful day here at the Academy, and I wanted to make sure I stayed true to my word before I turned in for the night."

"Well, I'm glad you did," the older husky told his pup, "because I was wondering if you were going to make it for your first day on that bike of yours."

"Oh, I did," Balto admitted, "though, cards on the table, I almost ran out of steam by the time I reached the gate. However, I was rescued by a girl at a picnic table with her Eevee, who were located right next to said gate, and they offered me a bottle of Fresh Water to drink, which I gratefully accepted and promptly thanked them for afterwards."

"Uh-huh," his dad said suspiciously. "And did anything happen after you drank that water?"

"No more than the usual effects, if that's what you're asking," Balto calmly said. "Refreshment, renewal of energy, having to pee later down the line; but nothing like I was slipped a Mickey."

"Well, that's a relief," his dad relented, then added with a smirk, "for both me, and you!"

Both dogs laughed at the dad-joke before Balto piled on, "Yeah, it's true what they say about free drinks... one only borrows them!" That put both of them into a bigger laughing fit before the younger one had to wipe away a tear of joy before adding, "But thanks for looking out for me as always, Dad."

"Ah, no problem, son," the bigger dog said. "Just remember why you're there in the first place, though. I know that the main reason you're enrolled into the Academy is to find your treasure, but I also want you to be prepared for the future because... I don't want to lose my treasure."

"I know, Dad," Balto said. "I don't want you to lose me, either. So I'll do my best."

"That's all I'm asking," his dad replied. "Well, son, thanks for calling and telling me you're okay, so I'll let you get some rest, and I'll talk to you later, then."

"Alright, then. Love you, Dad."

"Love you, too, son. Bye." And the transmission was ended before the Rotom Phone set itelf on the desk, and Balto laid down on his new bed...

-

But while our heroes were getting comfy, Sylvan, Rima and Spike were exiting Every Wich Way after finishing their dinner sandwiches... but each of them were at a different location in Mesagoza!

However, that was of very little concern as they walked back up the stairs to the Academy...

-

To be continued.