-One Week Later-

Ichigo wakes up.

*Ding. Dong. Dong. Ding*

[Attention all students! Today marks the beginning of an important new assignment! Please assemble in the schoolyard, where I will explain in more detail]

Ichigo: *YAWN*

Ichigo gets up.

Knock

Knock

Knock

Ichigo went to the door and opened it.

Nemona: "Ichigo! Did you he-

She immediately noticed Ichigo was in a baby blue night gown and rubbing his eyes.

Ichigo: "What's up?"

Nemona: So cute! "It's happening! I've been waiting FOREVER for this! C'mon, let's go!"

Ichigo: "Can I get dressed first?"

Nemona: "Fine. If you insist."

-Timeskip-

We cut to the schoolyard. Director Clavell was standing on top of a large stand, with a bunch students on the ground.

Clavell: "Excellent. It seems everyone is here. Well then, it's time I explained your independent assignment. As usual, the theme will be 'A Treasure Hunt'! I ask each of you to set out and travel the world in search of your own treasure. You have all learned much within the walls of our fine academy. But now, it is time to turn your eyes upon the wider world and deepen your understanding. Explore Paldea's abundant nature, soak in its rich culture, discover the Pokémon that live here, and get to know the people too. Where will you travel? Who will you meet? And what will you achieve? Of course, your Pokémon partners will be there to help you. You will journey together, learn new things together, share each other's thoughts and feelings, and find something you might always treasure! I look forward to welcoming you all back after your independent study when you return to us as fine, young trainers! Let the Treasure Hunt, begin! Onward!"

-Timeskip-

We see students outside the main entrance.

Guy A: "Toma ya! It's fine for the great outdoors!"

Guy B: "We still have to come back occasionally for cla-

Guy C: "Who cares?!"

Girl D: "Come on, Cyclizar! We're riding out!"

The girl gets on the Pokémon.

Ichigo: "Oh so that's a Cyclizar. It's does somewhat resemble Koraidon."

Clavell: "Take care everyone! And remember! The Great Crater of Paldea is exceedingly dangerous!!! Entering it is a violation of the school rules!!!"

Nemona runs up to Ichigo.

Nemona: "Come on, let's go, Ichigo!" She grabs Ichigo and runs down the steps.

Guy E: "Man that Ichigo kid sure is lucky."

Girl F: "I'm sure they're just friends."

Guy E: "Have you seen that crazy look in her eyes whenever she looks at the kid?"

Girl F: "You saying you're into crazy girls?"

Guy E: "Who isn't?"

The Treasure Hunt is a huge part of the Academy school year. The point is-

Nemona: "Hey! Lemme do the explaining!"

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...Sorry

Nemona: "Anyways, the point isn't to get us all looking for hidden treasure necessarily."

Ichigo: "Oh so it's a metaphorical treasure of sorts."

The two students eventually reach the bottom of the stairs.

Nemona: "Plus, there's so many chances to battle, which is obviously perfect for me! You and me for sure gotta battle when we run into each other! Oh by the way. You can actually set your destination on your map. You can set the destination of your Gym Battles."

Voice: "Tch! How's that for a student council president! Giving your own friends an insider advantage?"

Ichigo/Nemona: !

The two turn to see Arven.

Nemona: "Ay! A-Arven?!"

He walks up to the two.

Nemona: "Insider advantage? What's the supposed to mean?!"

Ichigo: "I'm assuming it's cheating."

Nemona: "All I did was suggest they check out the Gyms. It's up to my Ichigo wherever they go."

Ichigo: "Nyeh? Did you just say 'my'?"

Arven: "What? Sorry, but Ichigo's gonna have his hands full searching out Titan Pokémon with me. He doesn't have time to waste in something like chasing after the Champion Rank. Me and Ichi here are gonna be too busy visiting the lairs of Titans and nabbing their Herba Mystica!"

Nemona: "En serio? Don't go filling his head with weird stories!"

Arven: "Weird stories?! All I did was invite Ichigo along. It's his choice whether he goes, right?"

Nemona: "Grrr."

Ichigo was just standing there debating on how to solve the situation.

*Ro-to-to-to-to*

Arven: "Ichigo, your phone's ringing."

The Rotom Phone hovered in front of him again.

Cassiopeia: [Hey, Germonatta. Cassiopeia here. It's about Operation Starfall. Remember what I told you before?]

Ichigo: "It's been like a week, and you're calling me back now?"

Cassiopeia: [Don't question that. Team Star is made up of five individual squads. And each one's got their own base. I need you to go to each base. All five of 'em, and beat the Squad Boss there. Team Star's grunts will try to get in your way, but I'll be helping you out...from a distance. And heads up, the bosses each specialize in a different Pokémon type. Just remember the names of their crews, and you'll figure it out. Still, no need to worry. I'm sure you're more than up to the task. I'll just go ahead and add the bases locations to your phone for ya.]

Five images appear on the map.

⭐️~STARFALL STREET~⭐️

Cassiopeia: [Good luck with those bosses. I'll hook you up with some nice rewards every time you beat one.]

Nemona: "Okay, I've heard enough! Who are you supposed to be?! And Team Star?! Those punks are a serious hazard! They're not his problem!"

Arven: "That's right! Because Ichigo's got more important things to do, like searching out some awesome ingredients with me!"

Cassiopeia: [I thought it was up to Germanotta to decide whether they go or not. Right, Nemona and Arven?]

Nemona/Arven: !

Nemona: "How do you kno-

The call ends.

Arven: "Okay. What the hell was that about?"

Ichigo: "Oh Um...I may or may not have also volunteered to help take down Team Star."

Arven/Nemona: "What?!"

Ichigo: "A true mage never says never."

Nemona: "Look, Sweetie. I'm glad you're making plenty of friends here, but try not to get dragged into anything dangerous."

Ichigo: "I can not promise that."

Nemona: "Anyways. No more weird vibes! Back to adventure! And forge our own treasure!"

Arven: "For me, that's got to be Ma-Er...tracking down the Herba Mystica. When we do, I'll make the best sandwiches you can dream of!"

Ichigo: "Nyeh?"

Then Koraidon appeared from its Ball.

Onlookers: !

Arven: "What'd you come out for?!"

Nemona: "Oh my gosh! Did it come out after hearing sandwich?"

Koraidon walks towards Ichigo.

Nemona: "Do you think it wants you to get on?"

Ichigo does so. Then the wheels on its body grew bigger.

Nemona: "Daaaamn! It transformed! Now it REALLY looks like some kinda weird Cyclizar! With that, you can pretty much go anywhere. Paldea's your Cloyster!"

Arven: "Yeah...maybe. Well, if you're going to search for those Titan Pokémon, I'd say set out from the East gate."

Nemona: "But, since my little Strawberry is ACTUALLY heading to the gyms, I'd say go for the west gate."

Arven: "Tch. This is why I can't get along with you. I'm out of here! Catch up soon, little buddy!" He runs off.

Nemona: "See you later, Lindura~" She runs off.

Koraidon looked up at Ichigo.

Ichigo: *Sigh* "Fuck it, I'll just do all three. Let's start with the gym and try to go along with the other stuff in between. Koraidon, head East."

Koraidon turned around and started running.

Ichigo: "Woah! Not to fast!"

Too late.

Ichigo: "Nyeeeeh!"

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Passerby: "The hell was that?"

<To Be Continued|

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