Previously on Oranges to Grapes...
Our heroes, the Pomegranetes and Hell-Sent Precure, have just completed a quest all over Paldea to remove the crystal domes that produce Diademons, trap people and Pokemon, and are governed by the Diamants under the authority of their creator, the Dooctohedron a.k.a. The Crown of Light a.k.a. Terry... but they were unable to prevent the shutdown of Terastalization. However, Terry gives them a chance to restore the greater power in question by giving them the Terastal Tambourine, which is said to locate another source of Terastal energy for them to transfer back to Paldea...
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(Oranges to Grapes: The Restoration of Area Zero. Part 1: The Tree of Masks)
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The next few days were uneventful at the Foremost World-Renowned Pokemon Academy of Paldea, but most of the students were free to explore the region to seek out their treasures now that there were no domes in the way. Yet while the Tera Orbs didn't work, the students found it rather hard to keep up the vibe, though that's not to say they didn't try.
Back at the Academy, however, three students in particular found ways to keep themselves busy... along with four new ones wearing new uniform designs. Camilla Otore picked up a habit of using her Meowscarada, Rosie to battle wild Pokemon and collect their Materials to craft into unusual devices, Pico Hatsuki was on a food-tasting tour to try every type of food that Paldea had to offer along with his Skeledirge, Apple, and Balto and his Quaquaval, Prince, were on a shopping spree of their own for clothes, hats, and accessories to change up his appearence every so often. Meanwhile, the Academy's four newest students, namely Rosita Verdes, Jessica Winters, Eartha Crust and Dina Goldman (in the New Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter uniforms, respectively) were mostly trying to take in the classes and the lessons they taught so they could take the Academy's Academic Review themselves... but none of that was what made the start of this fanfic's second season special.
As soon as the bunny, lizard and husky were wrapping up their sprees...
"Ro-to-to-to-to!"
Camilla was the first to pick up, followed by Pico and Balto together. What appeared on their screens besides each others' faces was that of... Director Clavell. "Ah, good, you all picked up. I was worried that this 'conference call' wouldn't work because I did something wrong."
"Well, Director," Camilla said, "rest assured, you didn't."
"But, if I may ask," Pico added, "what exactly is this about?"
"Simply put," Clavell said, "I need you to return to the Academy at once. We are about to reveal the winners of this year's drawing!"
"Drawing?" Balto asked. "Like a lottery?"
"In a manner of speaking," Clavell confirmed. "But instead of cash, four select students, chosen at random, will be treated to an all-expenses-paid field trip to the land of Kitakami!"
The last word of that sentence made Camilla's eyes light up, her ears perk up, and her fluffy little tail wiggle with excitement! "Kitakami!? My old home!? HOORAY!!!" After some bouncing with giddyness, she said, "We'll be there as soon as we can, Director!"
"Excellent," Clavell said with a smile. "I will be expecting you soon, then." He then hung up, leaving Pico and Balto on her screen.
"Come on, boys! We have to get back to the Academy now!" Camilla said anxiously. "No time to explain, I'll meet you there!" After she hung up, Pico and Balto were left on the line.
"Any idea what that was all about?" Balto questioned.
"Not really," Pico said in response. "At this point, I've stopped trying to pretend that any questions I have about the situation will ever get answered."
"Yeah, you're probably right," the husky supposed. "Camilla's raring to go back to the Academy to find out which four students get to go on a field trip out of the region, and- DIT-DI-DI-DIT-DI-DIT-DIT, this just in, no one gives anything why that is."
Deciding there was no point in dwelling on the matter, both of them ended the call themselves to head back...
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(Scene transition: Paldea Flying Taxi)
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After returning to the entrance of the Academy and going inside, the Pomegranetes found both Director Clavell and Chairwoman Geeta standing at the center of the libratrium... along with a third person none of them recognized. A blond, curly-haired woman in an outfit resembling the Scarlet and Violet Books... as well as a pair of Tera symbol earrings.
"Ah, our three prodigal students have returned," Clavell said.
"Indeed so," Geeta agreed, "and not a moment too soon. We're about to learn the winners of the drawing."
"And I'm here, too!" another voice said, and the Pomegranetes turned to see Ko next to them.
"Okay, everyone, settle down," the new woman called out. "First off, I would like to thank everyone here for coming today, which is the day of the annual Inter-Academy Field Trip Drawing! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Ms. Briar, and I'm a teacher from Blueberry Academy, which is this academy's sister location! But I digress. And now, without further ado, here are the lucky four students of the Foremost World-Renowned Pokemon Academy of Paldea who are eligible to participate in the field trip to the land of Kitakami! And the winners are..."
As Briar held up a piece of paper, presumably the list of the lucky winners, everyone in the audience was on the edge of their seats lo learn the names that were chosen.
"Balto Mijuumi..."
"Yay! I won!" Balto yipped happily, almost about to howl in victory before he was stopped.
"Camilla Otore..."
"Alright!" Camilla cheered. "I'm coming back home, Daddy!"
"Ooh, Pico Hatsuki, that's interesting!"
"Wait, I get to go, too?" Pico asked in pleasant surprise. "Maybe I'll get to see my sister again!"
"And finally..." Briar said as Ko listened intently for his name.
"Please let me come, please let me come, oh PLEASE let me come..." the bear mumbled to himself.
"Garibosh... Kosal."
"What!?" Ko asked incredulously. "Okay, now you're just pulling crap out of your ass! Obviously my name was mispronounced for some cockamaime reason because this place is just SPOILING to keep me out of the story! I mean, what kind of nonsensical name is Garibosh Kosal, and what could they have possibly done to deserve going that I didn't!?"
"That would be my name," a generic student in a Winter Uniform and a pair of crutches said. "And to answer the rest of your question, I completed the FWR-PAPAR with a perfect score, which locked in my position in the drawing."
"I don't believe you, rando!" Ko still ranted. "Obviously you're just a sketch character the school put up to making me feel bad! Well, joke's on you! I've dealt with cripples before, and this who-knows-who is no cripple!" He then snatched Garibosh's crutches away by the bottoms... and then kept going on and on. "I provided the Academy with the idea to expand the building when those influxes of returning students happened, and yet they up and try to squeeze me out after I worked my leg bones to the marrow selling my new and improved multi-Berry jam to send faploads of Poke their way to make it possible! I ask you all! IS THIS JUSTICE!?!?!?"
"Enough!" A flash of light happened infront of the raving bear, and a certain Pokemon resembling a purple and cyan flower appeared, scowling with angry eyes from its clear sepal. That was enough to stop Ko's tirade and replace his frustration with regret.
"Garaboshi Kosaru," Chairwoman Geeta said lowly as she held Glimmora's Poke Ball in front of her. "Cease and desist at once."
"Yes, ma'am..." Ko tearfully wimpered as he dropped the crutches he grabbed.
"And return those crutches to Garibosh at once."
"Yes, ma'am!" the bear said as he picked the crutches back up and handed them to the other student... who was lying on the floor.
"After you bring Garibosh back up on his feet again," Geeta ordered without letting up on Glimmora's threat, "return to your dormitory at once. Director Clavell and I will join you later to discuss a proper consequence for this behavior."
"Yes, ma'am," Ko said as he helped his near-namesake back upright. "Sorry about all this, enjoy the trip," he quickly added before he cheesed it back to his dorm room.
"Glimmora, return," Geeta said, and the flower was sent back into its Poke Ball in a flash of red light. The chairwoman then addressed the crowd with, "Everyone, I apologize for what has happened, but this is a reminder that, while I may be tolerant of misconduct, even I have my limits. Now, I must return to the Pokemon League building to cool down before I continue with this situation. Director, make sure everyone proceeds with the field trip without further incident in the meantime."
"Of course, Chairwoman," Clavell said with a bow, and the drawing winners were escorted out of the Academy along with Briar to head to the airport...
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To be continued.
