Mesagoza.
Home to Naranja Academy, it sat at the heart of Paldea and was the region's largest city by both population and area.
People of every sort came from around the world to study there. Open to students of all ages, this ancient school—one of the few of its kind in the world—was known for its inclusiveness.
Spring had arrived.
Another enrollment season was here. New students were arriving to register one after another, and Mesagoza was at its liveliest.
Before the bridge leading to the towering, fortress-like city gates...
Young people in shirts and shorts—their school uniforms—passed back and forth, some riding Cyclizar, others walking with their Pokémon. They brimmed with youthful energy.
Friends chatted and laughed, waving greetings to one another.
"How many Pokémon Gyms have you challenged?"
"Four. What about you?"
"I caught an amazing Pokémon by Casseroya Lake! Come battle me later!"
"No thanks. I'm a peaceful person."
"Did you watch Iono's livestream the day before yesterday?"
"I did! The Orre Champion was so handsome! I can't believe Iono got him to come on!"
Everything was peaceful and full of life.
Then, without warning...
A howling gale swept in from the distance!
Boom!
A streak of blue lightning shot across the bridge and into Mesagoza in the blink of an eye. Dust billowed behind it, whipping up pedestrians' ties and hats. Several small Pokémon were so startled they fell over.
Who was that?
Who dared race a Cyclizar right in front of Mesagoza's gates?
Quite a few students looked angry. A handful thought the rider's back looked vaguely familiar.
But they soon put the little incident out of their minds. There were more important things to think about at the start of a new term.
In an alley nearby...
Baimu braked just before Miraidon hit a