The way the indigo disc plays out has always bugged me a bit. I absolutely love the double battles but the way terapagos almost feels tacked onto the end makes me wish it was more integrated into the DLC's story. Then when listening to terapagos's theme I had an idea for an alternative way for the DLC to play out!
INTRO
So you'd still go as a transfer student to a school in the ocean but for a little while you wouldn't be able to use terastalisation as the school wouldnt have a terastal orb at this point. Not long after your arrival the students would learn of a "school field trip" to Paldea for the purpose of using terastalisation in their battles, (and for Briar to conduct her research). To your surprise though the whole school lifts out of the ocean and makes it's way to Paldea, where they "park" over Area Zero (with permission from the league) where the terastal energy is most concentrated. Here Briar activates a device that channels the particles of the regional phenomana (or gimmick) into the terrarium causing dens to appear and allowing the students to use their newly distributed tera orbs (or perhaps an omni ring now that we have Pokémon Champions). In this version of events, the school has a history of going on "field trips" to other regions to battle with the regional gimmick. There is evidence of dynamax battles and facilities/spaces for such found in the terrarium and school, through objects/places and dialogue.
ESCALATING TERASTAL
From this point the main events of the DLC play out mostly as usual but maybe for each elite four member maybe Briar requests you and them help with some research leading up to Terapagos? Perhaps a Tera den that starts near Area Zero but extends quite deep? Maybe you find a crystaline form of terapagos formed deep down much like the Stellar tera crown.
With each elite four member that you help with research then take down the terastal phenomenon in both Paldea and the academy seems to be getting out of control, maybe more TItan Pokemon appearing? They could be terastalised too (And they're all turtle/tortoise Pokémon like shuckle and drednaw? Leading towards terapagos). Around this point Kieran needs to join you as academy champion, so things are tense as he still isnt warming up to the player, perhaps being pushed further by the player receiving more attention from Briar as a Paldean transfer? Briar is incredibly keen still on being allowed into Area Zero and with growing concerns from the league, she is given permission to investigate the depths of Area Zero with the Indigo Disc allowing her and a select crew to venture down past the lab.
FINALE
A team of Briar, you, Kieran, and Carmine are chosen to go down to Area Zero, but Kieran demands that first you have your rematch against him, convinced he is stronger than you at this point. He loses and you all go down to Area Zero via the bottom of the academy which is able to lower you all down directly into the central cavern of Area Zero. From this point everything plays out similarly to the actual game until you catch terapagos. After the story has concluded Briar is able to successfully create the tera orb hanging from the ceiling of the terrarium, allowing the students to use terastalisation no matter the academy's location, and the field trip is over. The student's say goodbye to the friends they made in Paldea, promising to stay in touch. The principal of Blueberry Academy tells you that you are welcome anytime. Then, as the player stands with Nemona, Arven, and Penny, the academy floats over and past Mesagoza into the horizon. The player waves as it gradually vanishes into the sunset. When you visit it after this point it is back in the ocean.
SHORT: The academy floats to where regional gimmicks are and goes over Area Zero, story involves more tera investigation with academy members and Briar but otherwise mostly the same.
Also there would be pokemon taxis for students to go to and from the academy, and the colours around the academy are like a terastal aurora just as extra details!
That idea and microsoft paint doodle got way out of hand haha. If you've read it all hope you find it to be an interesting idea! And any ideas to add or anything you'd do differently? Mainly wanted to draw a floating blueberry academy over Area Zero : )
by Aggravating-Pie-6939