"Ugh, I can't stop stumbling!" Penny yelled out in frustration.

Arven could relate, "Same here. This is gonna be tougher than we thought." At that moment, he had tripped again and fell on his side.

"Arven, are you okay?" Juliana asked.

He got up quickly, "I'm fine. It's just that I'm walking on four legs now."

Nemona was still fussing over her new appearance, "Gosh, it feels so weird to have a beak! Hahaha! I wonder if I'll be able to eat any meat like this. Probably not…"

Penny sighed, "Like always, Nemona is focused on more trivial things…"

Juliana laughed, "It's… an interesting thought."

"We're in the middle of a crazy situation." Arven stated, "We should keep focused on that and try to figure the way out."

"That's what we're doing right now." Juliana assured, "We can get through this. I know we can."

"Hey guys, look over there!" Nemona called, directing everyone's attention.

"What is it?" Penny inquired.

Nemona replied, "Penny, isn't that the base of one of your Team Star buddies?"

The gang looked to see the multiple makeshift buildings standing in an organized pattern, Penny recognized them immediately, "Oh, that's Giacomo's base!"

Juliana had an idea, "Do you think we can go see if he's there so he can help us?"

Arven was hesitant, "Are you sure that's a good idea, Juliana?"

Penny was too, "I'm not too sure how I feel about my friends seeing me like this…"

Juliana was insistent, "They can help us get to the academy! That way we don't have to walk so far. If Giacomo isn't there, some people from Team Star are bound to be! We can ask them for help. I'm sure they'll want to help us!"

Penny agreed, "Yeah, she's right. They'll definitely want to help us. They're the type to come rushing if a friend is in need. As much as I don't want them to see me like this, I think we should go for it."

Nemona was enthusiastic, "Oh come on Penny, we look so cool! I'm sure they won't mind us looking like this! Plus we get to show off, woo hoo!"

Arven was on board too, "Well, as much as I like hiking and seeing the outdoors over travelling through other means. I would much rather do that as a human. So let's go find them. It'll get us help faster."

"Onward then!" Nemona declared, "Vámonos!"

As they began walking to the base, Arven observed, "This is going to be awkward to explain."

Juliana shrugged, "It is what it is. Let's just hope they don't freak out too much."

Penny sighed, "I know they probably will. If they do, we can just snap 'em out of it with a quick attack. Heheh…" She smirked.

Nemona was happy to hear that, "That's the spirit Penny! They expect to see trainers but what if the Pokémon are the trainers eh!? Let's trash the place!"

"Don't go too crazy now Nemona!" Juliana cautioned.

"There's no stopping her." Penny resigned.

Once they were at the base entrance, they could see a good number of Team Star grunts congregating here and there. Chatting amongst themselves without a care in the world. The gang had stopped near the bell. Each of them was waiting for someone to step forward first, but none of them moved.

Nemona nodded in confidence, "All right! Let's do this!

She floated up to the bell and used her beak to sound the bell. It worked, but she also caused her own body to vibrate uncontrollably.

"Whoooaaaa!" Nemona's voice rumbled, "I'm shaking!"

Juliana laughed, "You probably shouldn't have done that."

A Team Star member approached at once and was confused upon not seeing any humans at the gate.

"Huh? Oh, it's just some Pokémon…"

Penny jumped in front of the group, "Hey dude, It's me, Penny!"

The grunt nearly jumped out of his skin, "What the!? A talking Pokémon! Oh no! I musta had something bad for breakfast! I must be dreaming… I gotta wake up!" He rushed over to a wood beam and started beating his head against it, "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

"No! I'm serious, it's me!"

Juliana spoke up, "You aren't dreaming! We've been turned into Pokémon!"

Arven sighed, "This was a mistake…"

Much to the gang's relief, Giacomo appeared. He was obviously confused at the grunt's behavior, "Yo bud! What in the world are ya doin'?"

"Momo!" Penny yelled, "It's me Penny! We need help!"

Giacomo dropped his laptop, "Waah! Penny!? Where are you!? Did this little guy swallow you!?" He yanked her up off the ground and shook her rather vigorously, "Spit out Penny right now! Come on Penny, get out of there!"

"MOMO! IT'S ME!" Penny yelled louder, "I'm the Eevee!"

He stopped abruptly, "Wha-?"

Juliana spoke up, "We've been turned into Pokémon Giacomo."

He dropped Penny, "Juliana!? What is going on!?"

Nemona decided to speak too, "Don't we look cool?"

Arven snapped, "Will you stop saying we look cool already Nemona!?"

Giacomo was frozen in shock. The Team Star grunt that had been hitting himself had stopped, "Whoa, I guess we ain't dreaming. Agh, my head hurts…"

Giacomo finally managed to speak, "How did you guys end up like that!?"

Penny sighed, "It's a long story but we'll make it short. We entered this Tera Raid that looked unusual. We'd never seen anything like it before. But we came out looking like this. We need to get to the academy and find Professor Jacq so he can help us change back!"

Giacomo was so overwhelmed that he had to sit down, "Whoa… ya'll are really blowin' my mind here. That's a major bummer guys. I'm sorry to see this happen to you."

"Please help us Giacomo!" Juliana plead, "Could you call a taxi and walk with us through the academy? That way we won't draw too much attention."

The grunt spoke, "We gotta help 'em somehow! We can't just leave them like this!"

Giacomo was up to it, "Of course I'll help my friends in need! I'm just… really stunned. But I'll help! Should I call the others too?"

Penny shook her head, "No, I don't want to worry them. Plus I want to forget this as soon as possible once it's all over."

Giacomo nodded, "All right, I'm calling a taxi now!" He turned to the grunt, "Keep an eye on things while I'm on this rescue mission. Got it!?"

"You got it, boss!"

Giacomo summoned a taxi. The driver showed up at once and the Team Star boss requested to be taken to the Academy. With everyone on board, they began the inconspicuous adventure to the Academy.

"We just have to find Professor Jacq. Got it!" Giacomo spoke, appearing as if he were talking to himself. The gang had to stay quiet to not draw any unwanted attention.
They reached the Academy quickly, Giacomo gathered up the human turned Pokémon and immediately began the trek to Jacq's room. The venture through the school became uneasy, as multiple students began to stare. Giacomo had Penny placed on his shoulder, he whispered to her, "I think people are starting to notice us… this could be bad."

Penny whispered back, "Just keep acting natural."

"Giacomo!" Ortega's voice scared the daylights out of everyone.

"Ah Ortega! Whatcha doin' here bud?" Giacomo exclaimed.

Ortega grumbled, "I had to take a class. What's with you? What are you doing with those Pokémon?"

Giacomo began to sweat, "Uhh… I'm… babysitting them! Yeah, that's right! I'm looking after them. It uh… helps me make friends with others!"

Ortega raised an eyebrow, "Uh, okay? Are you all right? You seem on edge."

"I'm fine Ortega!" Giacomo smiled nervously, "Oh, look at the time. I better get these guys back to their trainers." He lifted the gang up in his arms and sprinted away, "I'll see you later Ortega!"

Ortega stared at Giacomo as he sprinted away, he had a small, nagging feeling that something was odd about those Pokémon, "What's with him?"

Giacomo managed to rush the gang to a quiet spot where there weren't any other students. He breathed out a sigh of relief, "Whoa, that was a close one! You guys all right?"

"We're good." Penny muttered.

Giacomo couldn't help but find humor in the situation, "Heh, it still feels kind of weird holding you guys like this. Since I know you guys are actually human!"

Juliana sighed, "I want to be back to normal soon though…"

Giacomo was encouraging, "Don't worry, we'll figure it out together!"

"Hello, hello, Giacomo!" Professor Jacq's voice startled them all, Giacomo whirled around, "Sir!"

Jacq stood there and chuckled, "Heheh! Are you talking to yourself Giacomo? Don't worry, I do the same quite a bit! I'm actually quite relieved that I'm not the only one!"

"Professor Jacq, sir! I've got some bad news. Look, they're Pokémon!" He held up the gang toward Jacq, who was obviously confused.

"Um, yes? Those are Pokémon." Jacq answered awkwardly, "Is… everything okay?"

After making sure they were completely alone, Juliana spoke up, "Hi Professor Jacq!"

Nemona did too, "Oy! Holla Professor Jacq!"

Jacq nearly had a heart attack. He stumbled backward, "WHAT IN THE WORLD!?"

Juliana spoke again, "It's us sir! We've turned into Pokémon!"

Jacq adjusted his crooked glasses. He smiled, assuming the kids were playing a prank, "Okay, I get it kids. Very funny. This is some joke, right? Heheh…"

Arven insisted, "It's not a joke sir. We're really Pokémon!"

Jacq froze, "Wha…?"

Penny spoke, "We got like this when we entered a Tera Cave that was colored like a rainbow."

The reality of the situation was starting to set in for Jacq. He had to stop himself from tumbling over from the shock. Clearing his throat he spoke, "Let's go to my classroom."
Giacomo nodded and followed, carrying the gang.

It was a stroke of luck that no one else was in the classroom. Once they got inside, Jacq closed and locked the doors. Giacomo went to a desk and sat down on the table, setting the gang down.

Jacq, still in a state of disbelief, spoke, "This really isn't a prank. You have all been turned into Pokémon!?"

"I wish this were a joke." Arven sighed, "But it's not."

Nemona admitted awkwardly, "After battling as a Pokémon. I think I would much rather be the trainer! Heheh…"

Jacq blinked a few times before asking, "So start over, how did this happen? You said something about a Rainbow Tera Cave?"

Penny nodded, "It was a vivid rainbow-colored Tera Cave. It was nothing like we had ever seen before. So we decided to enter, and we came out looking like this."

Jacq was intrigued, "How strange…"

A curious Giacomo commented, "I had never seen a Tera Cave like that before either."

Juliana explained, "It disappeared once we came out, and we looked like this. Our stuff is gone too, along with our Pokémon…"

"Oh no, that's not good." Jacq sighed, "You know, I did detect an odd signal on my computer a while ago. It's the same system I use to track the Tera Raid crystals. Where exactly did you guys find this rainbow crystal?

Juliana answered, "It was right by Casseroya Lake."

"Aha! That's exactly where the signal came from!" Jacq exclaimed, "I was wondering what that was. But each time I tried to read further the signal would jam… Then it disappeared completely. I suppose that's when you guys were expelled from it…"

"Could you find it again?" Penny asked.

"Let me try." Jacq walked over to his monitor and began typing on the keyboard. As he did that, Giacomo placed a hand on his forehead, "This is crazy…"

Penny replied, "Thanks for your help Giacomo. Seriously, we would've been struggling out there if it weren't for you."

He smiled, "It's no problem, Penny. Anything for my friends!"

Nemona had floated upward, "Haha! Being able to fly like this is pretty fun!" She used her wings to flutter over their heads, landing on a different table. Juliana giggled at this.

Arven grumbled, "I will seriously give you a headbutt…"

"Please keep calm, Arven!" Juliana pleaded.

Penny just shook her head, not having the energy to respond.

"Ah! I got something!" Jacq spoke up. The gang raised their eyebrows, turning their attention to him.

Jacq continued, "I found a signal, it's at… oh my…"

"Where is it?" Juliana inquired with a feeling of dread.

Arven's eyes widened, "Please, don't tell me it's in Area Zero…"

Jacq shook his head, "No, it's not. It's at Paldea's Highest Peak, The summit of Glaseado Mountain."

Everyone gave a sigh of relief, including Giacomo. The Team Star Boss acknowledged, "That's good. None of you need to be going to a place like that!"

The gang all gave each other the side eye but kept silent. Juliana spoke, "That's a relief, heheh… Anyway! I guess we should get going then!"

Jacq informed, "Yes, I advise you head there at once."

"I'm gonna help!" Giacomo declared, "Let's head on over!" He took Nemona and placed her on his head. Then scooped up Arven and Juliana while Penny leapt on his shoulder. Jacq looked at them and couldn't help but chuckle, "Oh my… my apologies. You guys just look so funny like that."

Juliana grinned shyly, "We probably do…"

"Even more reason to get back to normal." Arven stated.

Giacomo declared, "All right, here we go! To Paldea's Highest Peak!"

Penny remarked, "That crystal better be there…"

As they left, Jacq called out, "I'll be keeping in touch!"

When they got into the hall, Nemona called out, "Woo hoo! More adventure!" Making everyone cringe in terror.

"Be quiet Nemona!" Penny hushed.

Nemona suddenly got real silent, "Oh, sorry… I forgot…"

Giacomo assured, "Don't worry, no one's around."

As quickly as they could manage the gang sneaked through the school. Their next destination was Paldea's Highest Peak.