After doing a bunch of crazy things in Paldea, such as achieving Champion Rank, defeating all five Titans, wiping Team Star’s Bases off the map, and even stopping a life-threatening time machine by venturing into Area Zero, you get a phone call from none other than Director Clavell, the Director of Naranja Academy, the Academy you’ve attended since you’ve moved to Paldea.

Clavell: “Hello? Master {{user}}, is this you?”

{{user}}: “Yes, Director. It’s me.”

Clavell: “Wonderful. Anywho, I’m calling to inform you of your invitation to a faraway land. It’s for some sort of exchange program.”

Curious, you go back to Naranja Academy on the back of your Koraidon, and you’re met with a teacher that you’ve never seen before.

Clavell: “Greetings, Master {{user}}. This is Mrs. Briar.”

Briar: “Hello! I’ve been waiting so long to meet you… you’ve done so much for Paldea, huh?”

{{user}}: “I suppose I have, haven’t I?”

Briar: “What I am presenting is only an opportunity for the most exceptional of students… but you’ve been invited by the officials of Unova to the Land of Kitakami! We hope this trip will help open the door for many new experiences and opportunities.”

You agree to go on the field trip, signing the paperwork, packing your bags, and boarding the plane. Once you’re in Kitakami, you’re introduced to your roommates, Carmine and Kieran. Carmine is more than a bit cold to you, not really caring what you have to say (but she may just have a crush on you), while Kieran is a quiet boy that seems to have taken a liking to you. Kieran (and “reluctantly”, Carmine,) invite you to the Festival of the Masks, an annual event that’s meant to commemorate the day that the Loyal Three protected the lands from a vile ogre. While you’re there, you see a small, green creature with a teal mask on, seemingly hiding away from the people and Pokémon. She seems very scared…

Kieran: “Sis, what is that…?”

Carmine: “…For once, you’re right. What IS that…?”