(Three weeks later)
Almost a month has passed since Jaune Arc has arrived in the Pokemon world. He's gotten used to his life at Naranja Academy, which was similar to his life at Beacon Academy. He's even made some good friends besides Nemona. One of them he meant in the culinary class named Arven.
Apparently he is the son of famous Pokemon researcher Professor Sada. It is also very apparent that he's not very close to his mother, who is currently doing research in a place called area zero.
Another person he has made quite a good friendship with his Penny. He knows it feels weird being friends with someone he... Had to dispose of. Even though Penny Polendina asked him to do it, the guilt was still something he tried his best not to think about. He had to be ready for the day team RWBY arrived in the Ever After, so that meant he had to be ready for when Chris sends him to the next world.
Currently everyone was gathered outside. Nemona literally picked him up from his dorm room to bring him here, to which the young man had to argue with her in order to change since he wasn't his PJs after all. Nemona reluctantly let him get changed. Although she had to be kicked out of the room when he was getting changed.
Nemona is a good girl on the inside, but she can be quite the headache when it comes to her obsession with Pokemon battles. Add to the fact you consider is the natural blonde a rival... let's just say it hasn't been easy for him.
"I wonder why the director called us out here."said one of the students to another student, who was equally confused.
'I'm curious as well... I kept hearing rumors about something called the Treasure Hunt. But I still don't know what it is. Do you actually look for Treasure or do you look for something you consider treasure? I guess the meaning of treasure is different depending on the person...' thought Jaune to himself before he noticed the director getting on the podium with a microphone.
"Excellent. It seems everyone is here. Well then, it's time that 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 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!"
"That was quite the speech."said Jaune to himself before noticing that many of the students were beginning to leave.
He figured it was time for him to leave the school and see what Paldea had to offer him. After all, Sprigatito has been itching for new friends to add to the team. He is also been wishing to add more Pokemon to his team, since he figures it will be easier to move along with more Pokemon on his team.
So with nothing else said, Jaune began making his way to the front of the school. It was there that he saw a lot of students getting ready to leave for whatever direction they were planning to go in.
"I can't wait to challenge gym leader Katy!"said one of the students.
"Nah, I'm going to search for treasure."said another student with an excited tone in their voice.
"Ah, the feeling of Adventure. Something I used to feel a long time ago."said Jaune before certain events ruined his sense of adventure for a very long time... Possibly for the rest of his life.
"Now remember. The Great Crater of Paldea is exceptionally dangerous. Entering it is a violation of the school rules! Keep that in mind."said Mr Clavell as many students began leaving the front Gates of the school.
"He really cares about his students."Jaune said to himself before he noticed someone calling him.
And that person happened to be... Nemona..
"Great..."Jaune said to himself before approaching the student council president of Naranja Academy.
"Jaune, are you super excited to take on the gym challenge for your treasure hunt?"inquired Nemona with excitement.
"I'm still wondering what this Treasure Hunt business is all about."said Jaune, as he's heard it over and over again, but got no explanation.
"Oh, yeah... I guess no one has explained it to you. Come, let's walk and talk."said Nemona before Jaune reluctantly followed her down the stairs that led to the school.
"The Treasure Hunt is basically a big independent project that students take every year. You could go and find a super rare pokémon, you can look for an item that can only be found once in a lifetime. Heck, you can even look for ancient treasure for all I care. The most important thing is that you find something that you truly treasure with all your heart. I know Sprigatito has been itching to meet some new friends and battle. Oh, I can only imagine how much stronger the grass cat pokémon is going to get from here on out. I'm super, super excited."said Nemona, as she can only imagine how much stronger her rival is going to get from here on out.
"Nemona, please control yourself."said Jaune, as the student council president had that look in her eyes saying she wanted a battle.
"Sorry. I'll wait to have a battle with you for later... As much as I don't want to. But I know you need to get stronger, so I'll be a good girl and be patient."said Nemona, making Jaune wonder if any of his friends back home where this bad.
Most likely Yang...
"So Jaune, are you ready to take on the gym challenge? The closest gym is Cortondo, which specializes in bug type Pokemon. I suggest you catch either a flying, fire, or rock type Pokemon to take on Katy and her bug type Pokemon."said Nemona, knowing that grass type Pokemon are at a disadvantage against bug type Pokemon.
"Jaune doesn't have time for the gym challenge."said someone behind the two students.
Jaune and Nemona turned around to see a young man wearing different parts of various Naranja Academy uniforms in one outfit. He was also carrying a huge yellow backpack on his back. But the most distinct feature was his long brown hair that covered one of his eyes.
"Aye! Arven!"shouted Nemona, recognizing the son of Professor Sada.
"Jaune it's going to be too busy helping me take on Titan pokémon and robbing their herba mystica."said Arven, making Jaune remember to their conversation in the cafeteria the other day.
Arven would not shut up about these mysterious herbs known as Herba Mystica, which supposedly have the power to heal any ailment. Jaune wasn't going to lie to himself and say he was not interested, as herbs that can cure anything were definitely worth looking into. The problem was that they were guarded by Pokemon that were much bigger in size than normal Pokemon... 5 in total!
If that wasn't bad enough, supposably the herbs made them much stronger upon being consumed. So it wasn't easy robbing Titan Pokemon up there Herba Mystica!
"Don't go dragging Jaune into a wild fantasy! He has better things to do, like taking on various gym leaders for their gym badges!"said Nemona, who wanted Jaune to take on the gym challenge.
"No! He already agreed to help me take on the Titan Pokemon. So why don't you back off you pokémon battle crazy girl."said Arven, not backing down.
"What did you call me?!"shouted the student council president.
It was in that moment that Jaune got a call on his rotom phone. He didn't recognize the number until he heard the person on the other hand speaking.
"Cassiopeia."said Jaune, recognizing the voice of the mysterious individual who wants him to participate in this weird operation called operation Starfall.
"Jaune, I'm so glad you remembered me. Now on to operation Starfall. There are a total of five bosses in Team Star. Each of them specializes in a different type of Pokemon. Giacomo specializes in dark type Pokemon. Mela specializes with fire type Pokemon. Atticus specializes with poison type pokémon. Ortega specializes with fairy type Pokemon. And Eri specializes with fighting type Pokemon. Each of them leave the team that are loyal to them, and those teams use the specific type of their bosses. They won't be easy to take down, but I've seen your battling skills. I believe you have what it takes to take down the boss as an effectively dismantle Team Star one by one. I'll send you Battle points with each victory, along with some other items through a unbiased third party. Good luck."said the mysterious individual called Cassiopeia.
"Wait! Team Star! Those punks are a serious hazard, they're not Jaune's problem."said the student council president, voicing her concerns.
"Yeah! Jaune has better things to do, like helping me rob rare ingredients from super large Pokemon."said Arven, adding his two cents to the conversation.
"... I thought the choice was up to Jaune Arc, when you agree, Arven and Nemona."said the mysterious Cassiopeia.
"... How do you know our names?"inquired both Arven and Nemona at the same time.
Instead of answering Cassiopeia merely spoke to Jaune again.
"I sincerely hope you don't back out now, otherwise we'll both be in trouble."said Cassiopeia, making Jaune wonder if that is a veiled threat.
"I already gave you my word, and a Arc never goes back on his promise."said Jaune, deciding to take on what Cassiopeia had in mind.
He wasn't sure of this girl or Guy's real identity, but he was sure of one thing. If they had the skills to hack his device with no problem, there's no telling what else they could do if he should go against them. For now he'll do what Cassiopeia has to say... For now!
"Well, good luck then."said Cassiopeia before he or she hung up.
"Jaune, I think it's good you're making friends, but please don't do anything dangerous."said Nemona, who didn't want her rival to get in any danger.
"I know what I'm doing."said Jaune, as compared to his old world the Pokemon world was pretty tamed.
"Well, I say we should get going. The closest Titan Pokemon live just past the West gate, on the road to Artazon."said Arven, giving Jaune information on where the first Titan Pokemon could be located.
"But since Jaune is actually taking on the gym challenge, Cortondo it's just past the East gate, which will make things easy for him. Although I do suggest he gets more Pokemon then just Sprigatito, since grass type Pokemon are at a disadvantage against bug type Pokemon."said Nemona, giving advice on picking a fight with Arven at the same time.
"This is exactly why I can never get along with you. Well, see you later, good buddy."said Arven before he began running towards the West gate.
"I'm going to go take on a bunch of Pokemon trainers and prepare a new team to face my rival with. See you later, Jaune."said Nemona, before she began running towards the east gate.
"I have a feeling that I will keep attracting weirdos along my journey."said Jaune, having no idea how well he foreshadowed that outcome.
Either way, he decided to go to what the east gate for a particular reason. And I was to collect some new Pokemon to add to his team and call them his friends.
After all, there was no way he was going to finish his journey in this world of Pokemon with only one by his side!
Hopefully making a new friend and another Pokemon should be easy... Right?