Laguna had been here so many times, but never quite like this. When she'd be led inside past the Littens, she'd politely small and reward them with a few sparkling snowflakes with a flick of her wrist and a twirl. "Next time, little friends. We'll meet again soon." She'd speak before following the proprieter down the long hallway.

She had never been down this way. But then again, she's never needed to actually stay here. No wonder Ash viewed it as a safe place to meet. Most people didn't even know about this place.

But she did. And yet, Laguna still stopped in her tracks right outside the door 104. Ash was in there. A one on one meeting. No one else. No one else to judge their words, or help guide how to approach the situation. Just her and Professor Ash.

Laguna felt her chest tighten in anticipation as she walked in the door, And yet, as soon as she saw the Professor, she couldn't help but just let out a long sigh seeing her okay. That was a good sign, at least. She'd gently slip into the room, sitting down onto the bed.

"Oh, thank you-" She'd politely smile at the barkeep for bringing in her signature favorite drink. The same one she got every time she was here, hot chocolate with exactly 12 tiny marshmallows. With that out of the way, she'd turn her attention back to Ash and listened quietly, respectfully to the woman speak.

Plasma... Team Plasma, a historical group? Just how long had passed between Black and White and UNOVR? Perhaps that was a question worth discovering eventually. And yet, it wasn't the most important thing to wonder about in the moment. In fact, Ash bringing up Plasma only after recently learning that Pokémon could speak, have genuine intelligence, only made sense. She was a professor, a woman of science. Someone who would look to evidence to find the truth of this mystery.

And yet, the truth, the real, genuine truth, would always be beyond her. Laguna couldn't help but feel her gut wrench a bit, knowing all the truths she could never truly share. All the half-truths and lies she'd have to mention just to have a being in this virtual world understand certain facets of reality.

She didn't like it. Lying even through omission made her feel gross.

Lying would have been far easier when she first started. Before she grew genuinely emotionally attached, before she started to care.

When she was given a time to speak, Laguna bit her lip, thoughtfully quiet for the next for moments before finally speaking up. Not to ask how she was, or to tell Ash about all her adventures. No, she had a different idea in mind, something that she could control her feelings more easily. She stares into her mug as she speaks softly.

"... Team Plasma was led by a man known as N. He was an orphan boy who lived in the woods with only Pokemon for his friends. He could talk to Pokemon, understand their words, even when others couldn't." She finally took a long sip of her mug before looking up at Ash and continuing to speak.

"As he grew, he had been shown a world where Pokémon were hurt by mankind, where man's flaws made them suffer. And so he acted to make a world where Humankind and Pokémon were separate, so that they may never be hurt again."

Almost without thinking, she grabbed one of the Pokeballs on her hips, holding Glacia's in her free hand, clutching it close to her chest. "But... He learned that the world wasn't so black and white. That people were good too. That Pokemon and Man could live in harmony, learning from one another." She wouldn't know how she would explain knowing all this, but perhaps she could pretend to be just a history buff?

Yet another thing she'd hate lying about.

She'd pause for another moment, drinking her hot chocolate before setting the mug aside. "And that was a lesson, I think, many people learned during the Thunderfall Event."

Laguna would let out a long sigh, closing her eyes for a second. Without a word, she'd suddenly just summon her Bergmite onto her lap. "Mama! Where are we- Oh, hey! Lovely lady! I remember you!" Glacia would turn around, smiling happily as they ever would, sitting down on her trainers lap.

"Shh," Laguna would quietly shush the Pokémon, cradling them close. "Be quiet for a moment, darling. We're doing science."

Bergmite simply nodded, snuggling in close.

With another long shaky breath, she'd finally continue. "... Professor Ash, I hold you in the highest regard, and I don't want you to ever forget that. You made a decision based on what you knew and then made a new one when you learned more. And that is all that anyone could have ever asked from you." She pauses, just gently brushing her hands along one of Glacia's glitchy spines. TV-static shines through the ice for a moment, as casual as ever. "No matter what anyone else you meet tells you, you did the right thing. I promise." It sounded almost practiced, like she had worked herself up for those exact words the next time she saw her.

Ever since she got Ash's letter, she knew what she wanted to say.

"And yet... there has been something weighing on my mind. Now that we know the truth of the Shrines power. How they cleared corruption, and what that means for the Legendary Pokemon that own them. After Beta Island's shrines cleared Asper, I wrote you some reports." She slung her Pokemon Protagonist sling-pouch off her back, setting it aside for just a moment.

"Kyogre was unable to communicate in its ruined state, but Groudon clearly told us "This Island is not mine. It is yours." He knew what he was doing when he gave us his power. He gave it to us willingly. And I don't want you to think that by using the shrines once, it was a mistake. He offered. He knew what he wanted. And he gave it. Even... though it took sacrifices to wake them, they still had to know."

At the mention of sacrifices she'd pause once again, her eyes obviously flicking down to Glacia for a second, before finally back at her bag. "I also brought you a note on the Everworld then. And given how... Moltres called spirits from the Everworld itself to come to our aid, I feel like it is only prudent to bring it up once more. I know how important that research is to you, of spirits, phantoms, ghosts. Real ones, not Ghost-Type Pokemon."

Maybe she was tossing a lot at the Professor all at once, she clearly had her own questions, her own thoughts to sort through, and here she was about to complicate it more. But, when would be the next time she'd get a chance like this?

She couldn't miss a chance like this. Not again.

It was the best she could do for keeping so many secrets. Share everything she knew. Why did it even matter anyways? It shouldn't make her feel so bad, just playing this video game. And yet, Ash was as real as could be. She'd never forget the hug that Laguna had been given when she handed Ash her first set of reports. She'd been riding that high ever since.

Professor Ash actually cared about her. That made keeping secrets hurt so much worse.

With a nervous frown, she'd reach into her bag and pull out a small clipboard to hand off to Ash. More Written Notes about her experiences in the Everworld. Three more whole reports, ready for reading at her own leisure. "These are yours. Whenever you find the time. I promised that I'd tell you if I ever saw Seta again."

But she wasn't done yet. She had so much to share. Quickly opening the UI inventory over her vision, she'd equip the Fiery Spirit Poke-Pet to Bergmite.

"Woah!" Shouted Glacia, suddenly leaping about as the vermillion flame burned to life right next to them, floating in the air. Ethereal flames danced in the open space, embers flickering into nothing. Smoke trailing up above it, with occasional shapes and figures becoming visible for brief, empty moments formed within before they too flickered out.

"Mama, fire!" As if to compare itself to the little flame, tiny little tufts of fire as small as a candle formed on its spikes before fading quickly.

Even despite Laguna's more somberly expression, trying her best to keep things purely academic and not collapse under the weight of her emotions, she couldn't help but chuckle quietly. She'd gently set the Bergmite down to slide around on the floor as the flame followed it slowly.

"That... is a Spirit. Pure, and simple. It was brought to this world from Moltres' flames, hence the fire. But, this, is a spirit. Not a Ghost-Pokemon, a spirit. I wanted to show you, proof. For your own eyes. Not just my reports- O-or, second hand information, I- I really hope, it helps- And I-"

She'd finally collapse, holding her arms close around herself. Her legs feeling numb for a brief moment would be tucked up underneath herself.

Intense quiet fills the room as her gut twists her up inside, unable to take it any longer. Sensing her trainers immediate shift, Bergmite stopped their curious exploring. With a surprisngly high jump as they were now known to do, she'd somehow leap right back up onto the bed. Glacia would go on to press her body against Laguna, trying to comfort them. "Are you okay, Mama?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine, just-" She'd take in a long breath before once again moving to cradle Glacia in her arms ever so delicately.

Without anything else to really say, all ideas of how to distract herself gone, she finally looked over at Professor Ash, trying her best not to tear up. "... Sorry. I'm- I'm okay. I just- I don't know how to communicate all that I know, or can do. Like- Talking to Pokemon, or- I mean, m-my last report covers some of the moment it happened, but-" Her words fumble, slowly trailing off into quiet again before she eventually finds her voice.

"So I just- I wanted to help with everything I can explain. Because the things I can't... Even if I tried, you'd never understand. And it just- I don't know. I'll answer every question you have, b-but... I can't promise they will make sense."

She can't explain how dancing literally gives her powers to heal people. Nor how she can just slide on all terrain like its ice, or twirling her wand of the winds like its actual magic.

Because it was all just game mechanics. There were no answers. No explanations. Just, that they were 'special.'

It didn't feel fair. This woman of science who she respected so much, who fought hard to understand her world, would never know.

Ash would never know the truth. Some acceptable lie, perhaps, but never the truth.

She felt sick.

The piercing eyes that narrowed at her through the doorslit suddenly, soften as soon as she uttered the password. And satisfied with Wolf’s response, the slit was slammed shut so hard that it made her unintentionally jump. A series of noises followed after, giving her the impression of them being unlocked before the door opened to grant her access. Curious as to what this was all about, her wolf ears perched forward without her knowledge and the hybrid stepped forward into the cafe.

Pale golden orbs flickered over the warm and cozy interior of the place, silently admiring the decor before her attention was soon shifted to the feline NPC’s murmurs. Not knowing that she could interact with them if she wanted, Wolf kept following her escort without a word. Her gaze shifted from one number to the next, brows scrunched trying to figure out what in the h e double hockey sticks was going on. Sooner than she thought though, the escort stopped and gestured to the door labeled 104. Again, Wolf didn’t say anything. A simple nod in acknowledgement to the escorts words was all that was needed.

Entering the room, the wolf woman took it all in. It seemed comfortable enough, though Professor Ash (or Ash now?) seemed different than she did when they first met. The ex Professor offered her a seat, choosing to sit on the only chair provided and a barkeep offers a drink. Wolf forced a fake smile on her lips, shaking her head in a no and an added shake of a no with her hands.

It was only once she was sited in her chair did the next series of conversation started. Wolf listened intently, still confused as to what was really going on. After all, she hasn’t been playing this game for very long. Yet as the NPC spoke, the wolf woman couldn’t help but feel even more lost. So lost, her wolf ears fell back slightly as she tried to gather as much as she could. But before she knew it, the ex professor fell silent and waited for her to respond.

For a moment, silence filled the room. Wolf waited for a series of prompts to display in her line of vision, cueing her what she needed to ask or clues as to what she needed to do. However, several minutes passed with nothing but utter silence as the NPC repeated her idle animations. Wolf panicked for a moment, her mind because blank as to what to asked her. And in the fear that she was going to be suck in this scene or longer than she wanted, the half wolf half human blurted out the first thing that came to mind in hopes it would prompted the game to tell her what she needed to do.

“So… What happens next?”

Really… That's the best she could do. That's the best she could come up with right now. -sighs-

Orion listened to the professors response, leg bouncing anxiously as his own nervous energy seemed to mirror her own fidgeting.  If she had any qualms with his apology she didn't seem to acknowledge it, but given how earnestly she jumped into her questions and conjecture he was going to take that as an apology accepted.  After all, if she held a grudge she would have slapped him, or tossed her coffee in his face, right?  Her questions calmed his nerves, and he took a moment to match her gaze and let her words sink in.

Oh boy, how the fuck was he going to explain this?

The true answer to all of this was "It's a game, these are just mechanics" but that of course wasn't going to fly.  If she was capable of even perceiving that fact it would probably drive her insane to know he was some eldritch being from a higher dimension in which the gods of this universe manufactured it strictly for the entertainment of higher beings.  That this was all a digital dream for higher beings to escape to in lieu of a boring life.  It would be maddening, but so was trying to figure out how to put these things in an understandable way.  He would have to take a shot at it, either way, and the best he could do was give her conjecture.

"Well," he would take a sip of his drink to buy himself some time.  "I'm not really sure, cause I didn't have any of the rad powers I do now before I came to this land.  I mean, unless you count these bad boys" he would flex his free arm and waggle an eyebrow.  "As I explained when you gave me Achilles, I used to be a pokemon champion but I'd retired.  Never heard mon speak till you gave me the little man, he was the first guy I heard talk so I can't really elaborate on that or how it really happened, it just did?  I thought I was losing my mind so I never said anything to you for fear of you thinking I was nuts."  Another sip elicited another pause as he chewed on this lip.  

"But I have like, gotten stronger out here, and not in the usual way where your muscles get bigger or whatnot.  I feel like as I've spent more and more time out here in this region I've gotten more...attuned to different types of pokemon?  Like they've made me stronger, and I make them stronger?  I've noticed the most bang for my buck with fighting type mon and Fire types too, and I've even begun to make tools and armor for me and them to use when we're fighting.  Part of it feels like your typical self growth but another aspect feels...supernatural."  He'd let that hang in the air before continuing.  "I think it might have something to do with the prevalence of these shrines dedicated to the various legendary pokemon, and the power they contain.  You even stated that we were going to use them to clear out the corruption, but what if it's like...radiating into us?  Like that power might be making us stronger?"

Shrugging he would take another sip of his drink and sigh.  "I know that's not the most...scientific hypothesis, but I think that's about how it goes.  Something in this land has been changing me, making me more attune with it and it's inhabitants?  I think being able to talk to pokemon has made the plight of this land more real to me, and the shrines have been suping me up to throw hands with the corruption so I can help protect it?  As for any conspiracy I couldn't tell you, I don't really remember anything that stands out about the schmucks who sent me your way."

Verai kept quiet, again, as Ash spoke, thoughts and idea running before she finally settled on a question- but even then, that spilled into more, blooming and breeding until idea and suspicion had filled the room.

Conspiracy.

"Professor..." Verai let out a slow sigh. Where was he even to begin? Was he to start off that he, and all other trainers, were intrinsically distinct from the other people she knew? Was it wise, to shatter all she knew so quickly, so easily?

It would be a hard truth to swallow, far beyond the time and space the game held for him.

Simpler matters, then. "Months after arriving here, in UNOVR... I lost my sight. I've not been able to see since." A mild lie, but the span of a few moments and a single kiss hardly mattered here. "In return... Kitten helps act as my eyes, but I primarily listen. Though this world is much bigger than the ring where I learned it."

"Additionally, though, I've been granted... visions. The first I saw when my vision first faded." He could see it now as clearly as when he'd first gotten the class, when re-equipping it during the raid. "A snowy gateway, and a two-pronged deer. None of them- they're all brief, abstract. In one, the sky itself fractures, and I am asked to make a choice-"

CHOOSE, OR BE CAST ASIDE.

"A tumultuous river carves through the night sky, the heavens- You and Cygnus fight against the young Doctor, but... none of you are the same. Each a bit mechanical, fighting with massive, constructed things. But..."

Verai fell quiet and still, one hand leaving the mug to fall to his side- Kitten springing forth in a flash of light, nuzzling his hand before leaping up into his lap, and then the table, pressing against his chest as she purred. <Purrai! Hiya Purrfessor!>

"Hi Kitten," Verai said, the polite reflex of a parent. He held her close, eyes closing as he thought. "There's one other vision. In it, I'm standing in what had once been a large city. Now, though, it's only rubble and ruin. The asphalt of roads has split from the earth, rising and writhing, ancient cars and buildings stripped, like bones of prey-animals bared by hunters. I-"

The dust he breathes in the vision is the dust he exhales in a memory, squinting at a first-seen sun, hearing the howl and wail of sirens converging.

Verai opened his eyes, just holding Kitten for a long moment. "... in the raid- the fight against Zapdos... there were two main options. Slaughter the gods, and with their deaths clear the corruption from Mistra, or spare them, and find another way. I-" She knew nothing of pop-ups, of prompts, of quests.

"I was able to see a glimpse, of what both options would give. And the glimpse of Ostellia looked- felt, tasted- the same as the vision I'd been granted of the ruined city."

Kitten purred, low and grounding, against his chest. "I did not have such gifts before. None of them- All I can do there is swordsmanship, and raising my cats." At last, he offers a soft smile, hand gently casting along Kitten's spine, her back and hips and tail rising with the action, stretching into the touch.

"Why is it something I have now? Perhaps its a penance, for what I've done. Maybe it's a challenge. But... regardless, I'm relieved it's something that comes to me, and not any of my allies here."

Tuesday is not satisfied, and for a second there, she contemplates on telling Professor Ash the whole truth about this being a VR game and her being AI just for shits and giggles, to see how she'd react.

So, why is it that she ultimately (after a second of deep contemplation) decides not to do this? Well... to be entirely, 100% honest... her gamer mentality says that if she were to break poor Professor Ash, she might not get whatever rewards may come from what must obviously be some hidden quest. This is, after all, a game, and Tuesday will treat it as such always. Loot comes first.

"Alright, so... I assume that I'm not the only person you're asking about all this, right?" She's pretty damn sure she's not. She had seen vague mentions of Ash's letters on r/UNOVR (some admittedly motivated by the vague posts of a user going by Tyrsday) and someone had even posted a screenshot of the letter itself asking for help with deciphering its meaning. Typical stuff. "Others may tell you about classes and increasing power levels and all of that, so... Hmm..."

After a moment, her gaze fixes on Ash's once again, her long fingers tenting.

"How about the fact that we can't die?" A brow raises, the look on her eyes quizzical. "Don't get me wrong, this is not some conspiracy and I wasn't hired by anyone — don't grab your tinfoil hat just yet. As far as I'm aware nothing in this world really dies... Well, I don't know about you, but it's that way for us and our Pokémon and the like."

They Black Out or White Out. Tuesday has memorable experiences concerning the two.

"You yourself called it UNOVR. Things are different in this UNOVR of yours; biology doesn't play by the same rules. We all find that out when we arrive. Forget all that 'Circle of Life' B-S, it's all Hakuna Matata here." She's pretty sure the references to Lion King songs will be wasted on the professor, but oh well. "We can still get hurt, yeah, and if we get hurt too much or go through too much pain we end up blacking out. It depends on the person, since some choose to experience less pain than others — I experience pain like a normal person, for example, I find the experience grounding in a place like this. But, anyway... when that whole 'blacking out' thing that happens we soon wake up at a shrine and are as good as new. It's always all about those shrines, huh?"

She makes sure not to point out that they spawn at said shrines, but it's there at the tip of Tuesday's tongue: the fact that player avatars just get teleported around even when the players are offline. Yes, she also purposely skips the part about being forcefully logged out when blacking out.

"The same goes for our Pokémon: when all of the Pokémon we have with us pass out either due to injuries or exhaustion, we white out and are sent to the nearest shrine. It just happens, no death or anything of the sort. It's kind of rare for it to happen, mind you, but as of late it has happened a lot... because of the Corruption Zone."

Blasé as Tuesday may have sounded in her explanations, that attitude is quick to fade, because there is that topic again: the Corruption Zone, rearing its hideous face.

"Every time someone has gone in there, that place has hurt them so much that they ended up blacking out — be it the harm be psychological or physically done to these bodies of ours. Some of our Pokémon have even ended up in the Everworld because of the harm that place has done... You know about the Everworld, right? Ancile and Chariot ended up there because of the Corruption Zone, and I will never forgive that."

Getting off-track? Absolutely. So, time to circle back.

"So, yeah, no death, though I doubt that you wanna test if that applies to you too, huh? Anything else?"

Orion would clench his fists tightly as Ashe did her explanations.  The codeword had given him a semblance of this idea, what was coming, but the truth and reality of the situation was beginning to sink in.  A knot formed in his chest, his heart pounded, he could hear his blood rushing in his head.  A deep, shuddering breath went into his lungs.  He felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, about to jump headfirst into something he couldn't return from.  Yet in his heart he knew it was the destination of his journey before he'd ever taken a single step.  

This world was real.

It had every right to exist outside of the control of those not bound directly to it, to its rules.  Just because it had been made for people like him to escape their world, to be a place of leisure and relaxation, but that wasn't fair, it wasn't right.  If he continued to mindlessly take this world in as just a game, as just a place for him to blow off steam, he was no better than the people who had taken advantage the Edge of Eden.  He'd be the very thing in his life he'd sworn against becoming.

His fist clutched the golden ball tightly, his breath left in a slow and smooth sigh.

"Here we fucking go."  

Without another word he raised it up and spiked it into the fucking ground.  The ball shuddered and shook, sparks of red flickering as the process began.  First of course, was Achilles who seemed to be surprised for a moment before staring down at the broken seal and then back to his trainer.  

"Boss?"
"Look bud..."  Orion would start, taking a deep breath.  "Of everyone on the team you've suffered the most, two dips into the river Styx because of my folly.  You know the danger more than anyone.  If you want to leave, you're free to go.  But if you want to stay..."  
"Fuck that."  Achilles growled, slugging Orion on the shoulder.  "Why the fuck would I run away?  We're a team!"  The cat would turn to Ashe for a moment, looking her over before swishing his tail and giving her a thumbs up.  "You picked a winner toots, big man has helped me grow so much.  I owe ya more than you can know."

With that the cat would take a seat on the bed with Orion and watch as the next contestant showed up.  Hades.

"Boss?"  The mon would ask looking confused from the ball to professor and then to his trainer.  "Its not cause I failed my drug test is it?"  
"No bud."  Orion would reply, shaking his head.  "I'm giving you a choice, to stay and fight for this land, or go your own way."
"Why would I run?"  Hades asked cocking a head to his side.  "You didn't when my home was being ripped apart by the porygon, even before you were big and strong, even when it hurts.  Why would I turn my back on that?  You're my family."  The flaming ghost weasel would waddle forward and wrap his arms around Orion.
"I love you bud."
"Love you more."


Taking his place on the jury, next up was Ares.

"Damn boss!"  Ares grunted, looking at the ball.  "You don goofed cap, Im pretty sure you like...need that."  
"I'm-"
"Oh I fucking heard," the pig grunted.  "Not gettin rid of me unless you want me gone."
"Get on the bed and lets see how this goes..."
"Hell yeah sleepover!"

...

When it was all said and done, the team was significantly slimmer than before.  Achilles, Ares, Hades, and Pythia had taken up the prime real estate on the bed.  Sitting on Orions lap were Gil bounced on one knee, and Arachnae bounced on another.  Argos flitted around from above, confused by the illogical emotional response of everyone.  Morpheus was having a ball in the corner talking to the Seedot Orion had rescued from the Everworld but had yet to name.  Vulcan the Sizzlepede was taking turns sipping at Orion's abandonned mug with Troy the Eevee.  Loki had decided he was hungry from all the weepy emotional shenanigans and had wandered into the cafe with Poseidon and Helen the Dratini.  His Maschiff had decided to abandon his former name, and was now just "The artist currently known as Maschiff" and decided that he was his own dog and he was taking a walk with Asterion and Zeus who had also agreed to stay but were feeling a bit stir crazy with all of the mon mayhem.

He'd lost a third of this team, and part of him was upset that it didn't hurt as much as it should.  These were mon he'd acquired over the almost two years of in game play, but some of them had never even hit the field of battle or had joined him on an adventure.  He'd consigned them to digital prison for nothing, but now they were free and that's what mattered.  

The gang was all here, and stronger than ever.  They weren't bound by the construct of the game and the limitations that had been placed by code.  They were free to do as they wished, but sought to stand alongside Orion and fight for his vision for their future.  It was freeing, liberating, not having to worry about them only going along with him because they had to.

"So," Orion would begin, looking to the professor.  "What's next?  Cause I'm ready to see what you have planned for the future.  How're we gonna solve the corruption problem?  What are we gonna do about the expedition led by Bunya?"

It was go time.

Laguna listened to Ash's words carefully, nodding her head in response. She'd absolutely share more about Bunya's experiments. She never did one herself, nor could she ever dream to, but no doubt people online would talk about them. People talked endlessly about their experiences in the game, maybe she could at some point stealthily ask for experiences, gathering evidence for Ash.

As ready as she was to dive right in, to start helping Ash all over again just like old times, that flash of sadness stilled Laguna's heart. She made peace with her Pokémon already... What could that have meant?

Laguna was quiet, tucking her legs in front of her as she cradled them close, almost on instinct. She listened calmly, as Ash described the world. Pokémon were sentient beings, that the system is flawed. Of Plasma's philosophy, of the bond between a Pokémon and it's trainer.

She didn't know what Professor Ash was leading to, until the Professor revealed her broken Golden Pokéball and seemingly dismissing her Pokémon. The tears immediately began to drip down her cheeks, nodding. "That's what you meant..." Runerigus, silent, but no less loyal. She had never questioned whether her Pokémon really wanted to be with her. She had always worked so hard to love and cherish all of them, except a few notable examples she never ever brought out. There were some that she wouldn't be heart broken if they left, but others- She'd grown so attached.

She agreed with everything Ash had said. Consent. Communication. Agency. It all made sense. It all was right. But that didn't make the decision any harder. Not out of some lingering desperate desires for control, but out of fear.

A memory flickered before her, of her old friends, promising to stay, only to leave as soon as they could. It broke her heart. She knew what she had to do, the question was solely if she had the strength to do it. Laguna just sat there silent, struggling to process her emotions. So wrapped up in her thoughts, that she hadn't even noticed how Glacia had responded to the whole thing.

The Bergmite was just standing on the ground, quietly contemplating as their eyes flickered between Laguna, Ash, and the Golden Pokeballs of each. After a prolonged period of silence, the small Pokémon had leaped up onto the bed beside their trainer, gently placing a leg against them.

"Mama," She began, speaking incredibly softly. "You raised me, you hatched me, I don't wanna leave you."

"I love you Mama."

Tears poured Laguna's face instantly, unable to hold back her emotions any longer. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Laguna stretched out her hand as an icicle formed within her grasp. Her other hand held out the Golden Pokéball, arm shaking. It was a swift movement that dropped the frozen blade, stabbing the seal. Sparks flew, even as she twisted it in deeper.

Eventually, both were dropped to the floor, rolling away. Her Pokemon were free. To do so as they pleased. Nothing happened at first, awkward silence as if even the Pokemon inside the ball didn't know what to say.

First popped out a Jigglypuff, a Pokemon Laguna had gotten so long ago that she forgot where she even captured it from and never used,. "Finally! Freedom! I'm going to commit so many heckin crimes." It immediately spat out its tongue at Laguna, mocking her. "I can't believe I was imprisoned by this fancy baby for so long, when arson is calling my name, and-"

Before it can continue it's longwinded rant, or cause some potential lasting damage, a bubble is suddenly formed around it by the appearance of Marina, her starter Pokémon, Brionne. The Jigglypuff screams in outrage, only as it's bounced out of the room and down the hall.

"Marina," Laguna spoke between her tears, not daring to hold her hands out. Her first friend coming here, the Pokémon she had jumped into a swarm of bugs with to prevent a lonely death, the Pokémon she had carved their body from clay by her own bare hands. All the memories came flooding back. "You're free... You don't have to-"

"Shush." Marina suddenly replied, taking the moment in for herself. She swam through the air, slowly circling around Professor Ash before approaching Laguna. She immediately is embraced with flippers held wide in a hug, squeezing tightly. "My darling, when the Professor gave me to you, I was excited. I wanted to explore the world, to see everything there is to see. I wanted to help you, you looked so excited about everything when we met."

"I know there is some bad trainers out there, but you're mine. I made my choice over a year ago, hon. That choice ain't changing now." The Brionne followed up her words with a cute little nose kiss. "Besides, who else would make you smile when you're feeling blue, sweetheart?"

Laguna's tears just continue to pour, but her smile is incredibly wide at the sight of her Starter Pokémon. She's kissing the seal Pokémon back, unable to help herself. "You're too good to me."

"No, I'm as good as you should be treated. And I can always be better." She pulls back, and with a flourish of bubbles like she was blowing a kiss, vanished into the Pokeball.

All was silent for a few seconds more, all while Glacia just climbed onto Laguna's lap, as if claiming it her own before the next Pokemon made themselves known to give their thoughts. Sheldon the Squirtle was quick to appear, sliding about the room on his shell.

"Yo, this is pretty cool chief! Does this mean I get to go and play at the courts when I want?" Sheldon said, popping his head out from his shell. Before Laguna can respond, another Pokemon suddenly reveals themselves. Hoppy the Froakie, lays casually on the ground, one leg crossed over the other.

"It means, you could leave and play sports forever if you liked."

"Oh, hyell no! You're not getting rid of me that easily!" Sheldon rebutted, legs popping out and snapping at the frog. "I always knew you wanted rid of me!"

"Truly? And here, I thought you were the one who desired to be rid of me. I always could go find that log of mine you broke. I do dearly miss it. But where would I be, hmm?" She hums almost teasingly, chuckling quietly to herself. "Laguna is giving us the choice. What is your choice, hmm?"

"My choice is to beat your ass!" Hoppy suddenly disappears into the Pokéball with a knowing smirk. "H-hey! Get back here! I'm not done with you!" Sheldon yelled, following suit and going into the ball.

Laguna didn't even get a word in the entire time, only to just laugh softly. It was still so hard to hold onto hope that all those she cared about would stay, but she had only heard from 5 Pokemon so far. There were still 10 more to share their thoughts.

She finally leaned over to pick up the Golden Pokeball, brushing her thumb over the broken seal as her Cryogonal suddenly formed. Contrary to his usual attitude, he was eerily quiet. "Sir Hail, it's... it-it's been an honor, having you be the shield at my side." Laguna mumbled, reaching a hand up to slowly press against his face. "But you need not stay, if that isn't what your heart desires."

"What even does my heart truly desire, Madame?" He's quiet again, as if soul-searching. "Why, it has forever been my goal to rejoice in the glory of combat. And dare I suggest it, I have found no greater a Commander than thee. What does thy heart desire?"

"I, umm, I desire to see the world. To protect it's beauty for everyone."

"One imagines protecting a hard job by thyself. You'll need a tough shield by your side." There's no emotions to his words, simply cold logic. But he's made his choice clear, it seems.

Laguna's smile is shaky, but she leans in to kiss his form as he fades away just as he appeared. "My knight in frozen armor, you."

Next, comes a face that Laguna had nearly forgotten. She jumps as the mushroom crab forms on the bed next to her, clacking its claws together. "You! We not spoke. But yes, you." It began, big bulbous eyes locked onto Laguna. "You trade for me. You do not like me. I see it in those eyes. They say all. All, I say."

One of it's eyes slowly drifts off, looking in some other direction before snapping forwards. "You shall help find me a new partner. One that wants me. I shall sever the chains that demand servitude, by dictating the one who holds my leash." Snap, Snap. "I will begin that search. You, shall wait by for my order. "

Laguna nods slowly, trying to control her emotions despite all this as it clambers down from the bed and out the door.

"... Did he have, mushrooms for brains?" Glacia suddenly said, stirring a laugh from Laguna.

"Glacia! That isn't nice!"

"What? No! I mean- He had mushrooms! And, you know, Paras- But they- Aww, okay Mama."

Next appearing in the air, long golden whiskers trailing behind them is Tabby the Magikarp. "I have been thinking," They began, slowly pacing from side to side, always having one eye on Laguna. "If it was not for you, I would not be here still. And I know that without you, I would not be where I am now. For if I faint, I would have no one to heal me. For if I were to accomplish my goals, who around me to appreciate them more?"

"Tabby, you know I will always be there for you. Even if you don't stay with me. Don't feel like you have to stay because of some debt."

"Oh, but that is where you are wrong. I do not stay because I feel like I owe a debt. I stay because I know you make me stronger! Without you, I can not swim through the air. Without you, I am lesser. It is because of you, that I have a chance to grow beyond the circumstances of my birth. For that, I am thankful." It seems talking so much has already worn them out, as they seem to pause to take a few deep moments to breath.

"And you helped me grow, Tabby." She'd smile, reaching out to pull the fish in and kissing right between their eyes. "You helped me learn a lot about myself too."

"... I promised I wouldn't cry. So, I am, going to return, before I do. So, know that I cherish you." The Magikarp spoke their last before returning to the ball again.

Laguna waits, and waits. It seems none of the others are wishing to speak at the moment. Or, perhaps if they are, they want a more private place to have the conversation. She's just about ready to tuck herself back to the bed, maybe pull one of the pillows against her chest when one more finally makes itself known.

An unnamed Teddiursa forms, holding its arms close to its tummy as it's visibly nervous. Laguna fought so hard to rescue him, as a Pokeball during the whole perverse gameshow of Chanda Mama's. "Yes, my dear?" Laguna spoke, frowning softly, even as she wiped her own tears.

"I'm, scared." The Teddiursa mumbled fearfully, looking out at the door. "I w-wanna see the rest of the world, but- It's so scary out there. Corruption, s-scary! I don't wanna fight, I just... I just-" They seem on the verge of breaking down. Despite Laguna's own overwhelming emotions, she can't ignore this call for help. She leans over, politely picking up the teddy bear and setting them on the bed next to her.

"It's okay to be scared, little guy. You've had it rough."

"S-so dark..." They shudder, as if past memories seemingly haunt them. "I don't wanna be alone. But I don't- i don't wanna battle! Don't make me fight! I-"

"Shhh," Laguna's shushing him this time, placing a soft hand against his cheek, holding the Teddiursa gently. "You don't ever need to fight, or be anything that you don't wanna be. You can just, be you. And I'll be me. You can come out whenever you want, and go back into the ball whenever you feel scared. Okay?"

The Teddiursa nods their head, and immediately presses close against Laguna, seemingly content to stay here and cuddle for now. "Okay. I, I w-wanna explore sometime! But- I wanna stay here for now. Maybe one day when I'm b-big and brave, I can- I can- um... I can do stuff."

"Whenever you want, you can leave." Laguna sniffles, wiping away her own tear. "I think, you're pretty brave now. This is all scary, new, it's okay."

Satisfied by that answer, the Teddiursa cuddled up like the teddybear they were, not wanting to say another word. Laguna for her part cradled it close in one arm, all while her other still rest atop Glacia, standing proudly beside her with a beaming grin. Impossibly proud to stand beside their Mama.

The Pokemon that she cared for didn't leave her just yet, but even that fear wasn't stopped just yet. They could leave at any time, for any reason, without a single word. That fear of abandonment ran deep, but Laguna was clearly putting on a brave face now. She stiffened her lip, lifting up her head as she forced her tears to dry.

"I could never turn a blind eye, Ash." Laguna swallowed her fears, her anxiety, her trauma. There would be time to dwell on it all later. "Where you go, I go. Into the unknown, for the better of all. No matter what."

"No matter what."