Ashley, Chloe, and Penny went through the next few school days with ease. Going to class, Penny even joined in the contest track to help get used to her new form, while having a friend, while having her own tiny uniform. Of course one of the things it talked about was using a dance during an appeal, to make a Pokémon look cuter and the teacher asked both Ashley and Penny to demonstrate, only for them to discover that the dance they were taught in class was Rain Dance and summoned a rain cloud above each of them alone that poured rain down on them. Still it had been several days since they started at Uva and Ashley and Chloe woke up to an announcement over the intercoms.
"Attention, all students!" It said as Ashley and Chloe finished getting ready for the day. "Today marks the beginning of an important new assignment. Please assemble in the schoolyard where I will explain in more detail."
"I wonder what that was about?" Ashley asked as she and Chloe headed to the school yard, where they joined the students.
"I don't know," Chloe said before looking down at Ashley. "Climb up here so you can see."
"Thanks," Ashley said, climbing up and sitting on her head, seeing Director Clavell at the front, before noticing Penny. "Hey there's Penny."
"Invite her to join you." Chloe said, having gotten to know Penny when she hung out with Ashley getting the tech ready for the Vee packs. "With her size she'll have trouble as well."
"Right!" Ashley said before calling out. "Hey Penny! Come up here!"
Penny heard while avoiding the steps of the other students and headed over and after getting a nod from Chloe, climbed up and sat next to Ashley, though they had to sit close enough for their fur to mingle together unless they wanted to fall off.
"Thanks," Penny said, "I think this is the annual event known as the Treasure Hunt, but I've never been here for one before so I'm not sure."
"Got it," Chloe said trying to keep them balanced as Director Clavell spoke.
"Excellent. It seems everyone is here!" he said as everyone quieted down. "Well then, it's time I explained your independent study 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 all have 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 pokemon 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 pokemon 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!"
The students then headed out with Penny, seeing Nemona run out, though they aren't very good friends with her, since she tried several times to get them to drop the Contest Track for gym battles, but when they refused she got pushy and they had too tell her to leave them alone.
As they left the academy front doors. Director Clavell had some last minute advice.
"Take care, everyone! And remember-the Great Crater of Paldea is exceedingly dangerous! Entering it is a violation of school rules!"
"Hey, Ashley?" Penny asked, getting her attention to see Penny with a bag sitting next to her. "I finished the first Vee Pack for you. Though it still needs a test run. I only modified the bag for having people travel inside. Mind if I test it out by traveling in the bag for today?"
"Go ahead!" Ashley said as Chloe helped Penny put the bag on Ashley, and climb inside, where it worked. There was stabilizers added that means those in the bag did not go flying around or out of the bag, no matter how fast it moved. Penny then headed further in the bag where she couldn't see the outside to check how the modifications were managing with the other aspects of the bag.
Ashley and Chloe then headed down the stairs before stopping when they got a call.
"Hey, Ashley, Chloe," said a voice that seemed familiar, but different enough they could not place it. "Cassiopeia here."
And thus they recognized why it was familiar. They had only heard it once. "It's about Operation Starfall. Remember what I told you before? Chloe, have you made your decision?"
"I'll join too!" Chloe agreed not wanting Ashley to be alone against them.
"Good," Cassiopeia said. "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 might try to get in your way, but I'll be helping you out… from a distance. And heads up that the bosses each specialize in a different pokemon type. Just remember the na,es of their crews and you'll figure it out. Still, no need to worry. With your skills, I'm sure you two are more then up to the task. I'll just go ahead and add the bases locations to your phone for you. Good luck with those bosses. I'll hook you up with some nice rewards every time you beat one."
Cassiopeia then hung up.
"So when we travel are you walking with me? Or joining Penny in the bag?" Ashley asked.
"The bag was comfy," Chloe smirked as Miraidon popped out of its pokeball.
"Agias!" Miraidon said. "Gias! Gias!"
"What's Miraidon saying?" Chloe asked, seeing Ashley's jaw drop.
"Miraidon is saying while you ride in the bag I can ride it like a Cyclizar," Ashley said to Chloe's shock as well. "But how would I hold on?"
Miraidon answered that by picking her up and placing her on its back before using its electrical energy to do something that means Ashley was stuck to it. She could move around, but even if she jumped she just got pulled back to it, like it had changed gravity around so it pulled her to it.
"I guess that answers that," Chloe said, "where to first?"
"Well, between the titans and team star it looks like the closest is the rock titan." Ashley said.
"Pity that despite having contest classes there are none in Paldea," Chloe said, "well then too the Rock Titan!"
With that Chloe climbed in the bag with Penny and explained where they were going and about Miraidon as they headed to the east gate.