Previously on Oranges to Grapes...
After a few (failed) attempts to bring Terastal energy back to Paldea elsewhere, Briar and the Pomegranetes make the long trek up Oni Mountain to the Crystal Pool they signed up for...
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"At long last," Camilla said in awe as the group crossed the bridge to the pool, "we finally made it to the Crystal Pool. All we have to do is use the Terastal Tambourine to transfer the energy from it to Paldea, and everyone there can Terastalize their Pokemon again."
"I dunno," Balto wondered. "Sounds a bit too easy for it to end at that."
"Balto's got a point there," Pico agreed. "I didn't see anything in the packets we signed saying we can't, but there could be more to this pool than meets the eye."
"Well, I don't know about you boys," the bunny replied, "but after all we went through to get to this point, I'm not going to stop trying until we complete our mission."
"Not to mention," Briar piped up, putting herself back in the conversation, "if we do bring Terastal energy back to Paldea, what's to become of Terastalization here in Kitakami?"
"Not to worry," Camilla assured. "We're not taking ALL of it there, just creating a channel between the two locations for a transfer that'll balance out the levels between them."
"I'm still not sure what'll really happen," Balto said, "but we won't know for certain unless we try. And I vote that we do this together this time."
"I second that," Pico stated.
"Alright," Camilla said as she held up the tambourine. "Time to take this to another level!"
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"Growth!"
"Friendship!"
"Adventure!"
Chirichiri- TCHANG!!!
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After the tambourine was clapped by three different hands, the loud ring that resulted shook the air, illuminating the waters of the pool and making the crystals below its surface shine brighter than ever. Soon the water began to ripple as the summoned light started to coalesce before the shallow ledge, gathering into a ball of powder-blue energy that grew bigger and bigger... then it began to change shape.
First, the mass elongated into a tall, thin rhombus, then the points of it split into what looked like limbs... then flowing veils resembling cloth and hair started growing from the mass until finally, what stood before the three students and their chaperone... was a silhouette of light in the shape of a woman.
"Who approaches the spirit of the Crystal Pool?" the silhouette asked in an etherial voice.
"We do," Camilla said in response. "I am Camilla Otore, former resident of Mossui Town and current resident of Los Platos of the Paldea region."
"I am Pico Hatsuki, resident of Zapapico of the Paldea region."
"And I am Balto Mijuumi, resident of Porto Marinada of the Paldea region, and together, we are known as the Pomegranetes."
"I see," the silhouette acknowledged before looking towards the fourth of the group. "And I notice you brought along Briar, a teacher from Blueberry Academy and descendent of the Area Zero exploration team leader, Heath."
"You recognize me?" Briar asked.
"Of course," the silhouette answered. "I remember all who have visited the Crystal Pool at least once. And what brings these new faces here?"
"Because we are here on behalf of the Crown of Light," Camilla stated, "and have come to atone for the injustice he has wrought upon our home region."
"Ah, let me guess," the silhouette mused. "Terry finally lost his temper, lashed out at the populace of this Paldea region for abusing Terastalization for selfish reasons, caused a Pandora's Box situation beyond his control, and when it was rectified, it inadvertedly caused the shutdown of his greater power, so he needs some of that energy from somewhere else?"
Everyone was in awe of how the silhouette hit the nail on the head, so much so that the Pomegranetes could only nod yes in response.
"Well, perhaps I could be persuaded to share the Terastal energy of Kitakami with Paldea," the silhouette offered, "but it will not be easy. First, I must pit the 'paragons of greatness' Terry chose through a rigorous test." When that was met with an exasperated sigh from Camilla, the silhouette added, "And before you start, I am not going to start at one challenge and just pile on after that."
"I wasn't going to say that," Balto piped up.
"No, but she was."
"Then what is this one challenge?" Pico asked.
"A test of mettle," the silhouette said, "but first, a little visual aid. Look into my waters, and you will see what I mean."
The Pomegranetes looked down, and a show was playing in the Crystal Pool's waters, depicting the caretaker and Briar. "Wait," the Blueberry teacher realized. "I remember this. This was when I first came to the Crystal Pool four years ago to look into the findings in my ancestor's book!"
"Yes," the silhouette confirmed, "but what I want the Pomegranetes to see happens after that."
Later, the water showed two more figures approaching the pool: a girl in blue and someone distorted by ripples. Soon they were challenged by a Milotic, but it was easily defeated, and in its place was a small chunk. The distorted person picked up the chunk, and the two figures left the scene before the water was stilled.
"You see," the silhouette explained, "four years ago, two children came to the Crystal Pool to collect a cluster of crystal for something. It wasn't until later the next day that I found out it was to restore a carved, wooden mask... one of a set of four meant for a certain Pokemon."
"Let me guess," Camilla said, "Ogerpon?"
"The very same."
"Can I also guess Ogerpon?" Balto tried.
"Through the waters flowing from the Crystal Pool," the silhouette continued, "I was able to witness the hidden power this Ogerpon kept for so long: she could use Terastal energy to transform her masks into larger, stronger, more radiant forms... and that was when I had an idea. Surely I could harness that energy from the crystals in the pool myself, but one thing was missing. I needed someone to test those powers on, but since the Crystal Pool was deemed sacred by the land of Kitakami after those events, very few were willing to volunteer as opposition... and that is where you come in. If the three of you can stand against my long-overdue ascent to my newfound, dare I say, ultimate form and win, I will share the energy from the Crystal Pool, no questions asked."
"Well, seeing as we haven't had much to fight all story arc," Pico supposed, "I don't see how else we're going to get Paldea's situation corrected, so... Spirit of the Crystal Pool, we accept your challenge."
"Splendid," the silhouette said, and she raised her long-sleeved arms... summoning four small shapes of light from the waters. "At long last, my fullest potential shall finally be realized. Prepare yourselves, paragons of greatness."
Just then, her body lifted from the surface of the water, the shapes following closely and circling her... then she stopped after several yards. Suddenly, long tendrils of light grew from her gown, stretching further and further until they reconnected to the surface of the water, and her sleeves spread out wider and flatter along with her hair, forming a sort of canopy. The ends of the tendrils snaked in and out of the water, sprouting pairs of leaves and resembling tree roots, and the canopy started to fray and unravel in places, growing jagged branches with thick, supple vines twining around them.
Meanwhile, the shapes of light were growing bigger and changing color, surrounding the spirit's head as they circled around and around, then crystalizing into more solid states until finally, at long last... the spirit of the Crystal Pool had transformed into a tall, crystal tree, surrounded by the Terastalized forms of Ogerpon's masks.
"Behold, Pomegranetes!" the tree shouted with a booming echo that shook the water, "I have now transcended into my ultimate form: Ogrewood, the Tree of Masks!"
Title drop.
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To be continued.
