Previously on Oranges to Grapes...
After having a farewell lunch at Cascarrafa, Jessica lets slip that she has feelings for Rhett, and Rosita dares her to confess them to him once they're in Porto Marinada. But before that, Camilla clears her fourth dome and rescues a family of Donphan and Phanpy...
-
Camilla then caught up with the rest of the group at the Pokemon Center, where Jessica had something to say. "Camilla," the snep said, "I've changed my mind. I'm not going to tell Rhett how I feel, so we're not going back to Porto Marinada."
"What?" the bunny questioned, dumbfounded. "But what about Balto? And Rosita's dare?"
"None of that matters," Rosita added. "We just got a phone call from Chairwoman Geeta, and she wants us to come back to Mesagoza immediately. And she is the boss, so what she says goes."
"Much as I want to argue that sentence," Eartha said, "Rosie has a point, Cammie."
"We've already called the cab," Dina tacked on, "so we can't get out even if we wanted to. Sorry, boys, meeting the big dog will just have to wait."
"Ah, that's alright," Balto reassured. "Dad knows I'm making progress on getting the Starmobiles to him, so he'll understand."
"Here comes Hilda now!" Pico pointed out as the Flying Taxi descended from the clouds...
-
(Scene transition: Paldea Flying Taxi)
-
The group parked outside the south gate, just as before. And they came in through said gate and approached the outer ring, just as before. But this time, the Prime Tera Jewels restored the Water and Ground logos, both the former to open the path wider at the outer ring, and both of them at the Battle Court before Chairwoman Geeta joined them. "Ah, excellent. You're responding to my call."
"Yes, Chairwoman Geeta," Camilla said. "As you can see, we've already restored 10 out of 18 type logos, so we're clearly on our way!"
"Indeed so," the Top Champion said, "but that is not why I've gathered you all here." She then took out her own personal Rotom Phone and added, "These are."
Displayed on the screen of the device were images of the photos Pico posted. "Don't think us back at the Pokemon League building ungrateful for these accomplishment touts of yours, Pico Hatsuki," Geeta said to the lizard. "In fact, these photos have attracted the attention of somebody who could benefit from more of your efforts. Somebody who decided to tag along with me." She then held out an arm behind her and added, "Or, should I say... three somebodies?"
Descending the stairs from the Academy were three of its teachers, which its students recognized.
"Miss Tyme?" Camilla asked.
"Coach Dendra?" Pico added.
"Mr. Hassel?" Balto tacked on.
"What are you doing with Chairwoman Geeta?" all three of them said simultaneously, catching each other by surprise. "Okay, how do we keep doing that?"
"These three teachers are here," Geeta explained, "because they each have one thing in common: someone close to each one is still trapped under a dome."
"It's true," Hassel confirmed. "There's my fellow Elite Four member in Medali..."
"My sister in Montenevera," Tyme continued.
"And my rival-slash-close friend in Alfornada," Dendra finished.
"Larry, Ryme and Tulip," Pico guessed.
"The very same," Geeta confirmed. "And it is up to you to continue those efforts to rescue them, otherwise the Paldean Pokemon League will have to start over from scratch."
"Well, rest assured, Chairwoman Geeta," Camilla said, "we all plan to continue that quest, continuing with removing the domes over Medali and near Tagtree Thicket before coming back. So Larry will be the next Gym Leader we rescue."
"Excellent," Geeta praised. "Then I shall leave you lot to the task, as this was simply a formality discussion."
"For the Foremost World Renowned Pokemon Academy of Paldea!" Balto cheered.
"Go, Pomegranetes!" Dendra piled on.
"Wait," Rosita stopped, "who are the Pomegranetes? I'm only asking because this is new information I've yet to process."
"That is what we refer to Academy students as," Geeta explained, "thus our school emblem."
"Okay, no further questions," the caracal said before facing the west gate again and adding, "Pomegranetes and Hell-Sent girls... AWAY!"
-
Back at the Academy, Ko had just finished four more batches of his multi-Berry jam with renewed vigor now that his idea for a fundraiser had been greenlighted. "Whew... being supportive of a school sure takes a lot out of you," he said as he wiped sweat from his forehead. "But, I'll do what's neccessary cause... even a miracle needs a hand~"
As he turned off the stove of his dorm, he set the jars he finished into a cardboard box to haul out. "Okay, that should take care of the supply intake, now I just have to set this out to the courtyard and get the word of mouth out about the product. Once I get this sold, every jar will bring the Academy 500 Poke closer to meeting the Academy Expansion Fund." Once he finished packing the jars into the box, he went back to the stove where there was a little jam left over in the pot, which he scooped up with the stirring spoon. "But first, the basic rule of cooking. Before serving a dish, a chef must always taste it."
Ko then brought the spoon up to his muzzle and stuck his tongue out, tipping it so a small dab of jam dripped onto the flat, pink organ from his mouth. Once the flavors sunk into his taste buds, his eyes went wider as he said, "Whoa. This stuff... can't... POSSIBLY FAIL!" He then poured the rest of the scoop into his mouth with a smile. "Mmm... mixed fruit flavors. I defy anyone who tastes this to find a flaw in it. The answer? They can't!"
Satisfied with his work, Ko picked up the box of jars and left his dorm to start his own journey for a new treasure: the knowledge that something he did made the Academy better for years to come...
-
To be continued.
