Let's Stir Up Trouble at the Ogre-Exorcism Festival

The rules of the Ogre-Exorcism Festival game were simple: teams of eight went to a field outside Kitakami Center and rode Pokémon to pop balloons painted with Ogre Masks before time ran out.

Berries would fall from the balloons. Players had to collect them in Berry Bags, carry them to the drop-off points, and place them in Bamboo Baskets of the matching color.

There were four colors and eight Bamboo Baskets scattered around the field, so teammates needed to divide the work.

But the Berries had been coated with a fragrance. Once the balloons burst, the scent would spread, growing stronger wherever Berries piled up and drawing nearby Wild Pokémon to eat them.

After hearing the rules, Mingyou thought it sounded a bit like a ball-collecting game he had played before. This one would definitely be harder, though it also left more room for creative tactics.

Carmine walked over with her arms crossed and a sly smile. "It's a team game, but how about we each pick a Bamboo Basket and see who collects the most Berries in the end?"

"Sounds good."

Mingyou answered softly, then looked at his other teammates. Kieran hadn't joined his sister, but Mingyou recognized several of the others.

Xiao Yang, Hau, Kiawe, and Sophocles from the Alola Region were there. They had signed up alongside Mingyou and Carmine.

The remaining two were students from Naranja Academy who had signed up earlier. Mingyou didn't know them, but he recognized their Paldean accents. He was from Paldea himself, after all...

Once the participants were confirmed, a staff member waved them over. "Guests taking part in the Ogre-Exorcism Festival game, this way, please! The field is quite large, so if you don't have a Pokémon to ride, we can provide a Stantler."

"A riding Pokémon, huh..."

Mingyou nodded