[ti]quest[/ti]The Light Fantastic

Here she was again, swimming through the waters of the Drowned Harbor. It was always dangerous, that much was undeniable. And yet, despite the nerves and tense muscles, she couldn't help but be excited. She never did get the opportunity to look at the Doortals much, to explore them as deeply as she wanted to.

From this distance, she really was in awe of the sight. Glimmering lights danced through the water, coming from places far, far away. From realms that she couldn't possibly imagine, and then some far beyond her understanding. It was a place of intense danger, but also such intense delight.

It would be a shame not to explore.

"I see them too." She'd nod her head in response, kicking her feet and swimming closer towards Sarah. "I would expect some kind of danger, it would be only safe to presume. But let's try not to steer clear. I'm hoping we can avoid too much combat or difficulty today."

Her eyes would slowly drift up, scanning into the darkness of the ocean surronding them, like a shadow slowly destroying all light around them. The sun's light was dim from this deep, even the glory of the sun could not compare to the brilliant and glowing doorways to worlds unseen, just down below.

"Well, shall we take a look?"

Laguna's gaze crossed across all the different doors of below, almost in awe. There were many that seemed normal, if somehow normal could be applied to this situation. Standard wooden doors with a handle, nothing out of the ordinary.

And yet, she found some that stood out so strongly, proving very tempting. A small little pet-door, that absolutely had no chance of fitting anyone their size through. But, maybe the Tatsugiri could? Wouldn't be safe sending a Pokémon somewhere they couldn't follow, though.

A pair of elevator doors that would presumably need pried open wide, a screen-door with the see-through screen simply bleeding light like one would find leading out to a porch, and even an old wooden door, made from sliced logs like it was attached to a log cabin out in the middle of nowhere. And yet, one caught her attention above the others. An old house door, normally rather boring an uninteresting, if it wasn't for the fact that it seemed like it had somehow sustained fire-damage at one point in its life. The wood was charred, burned up its side and the panels were peeling.

"This one." She'd point out, swimming down towards it. "They're all interesting, and we could spend forever doing this. But, even you can admit the visible damage just tempts you too, doesn't it?"

The door facing directly upwards on the other side caught her by surprise and she couldn't help but think. If she stayed directly between the door, would gravity just keep her floating completely still?

Sounded like an interesting experiment, but perhaps not for something to discover right now. This door seemed mostly safe, even though she partially expected flames to be on the other side. Just more water, and the flickering of lights just above the waters surface on the other side. Curious.

When Sarah pushed through, Laguna would follow suit after a few seconds. It was so odd, the weight of gravity suddenly pulling in the opposite direction, buoyancy carrying her upwards. No wonder divers got the bends from the pressure. The bottom of the ocean, versus a small pool was such different pressure. She gasped for air as soon as she surfaced, although with Swimmer she really didn't have any need to worry about air.

She only had a second to look around at the torches, finding the whole indoor pool rather peculiar. Why did it have a door at the bottom?

"Hey!" A voice suddenly called out, a very accusatory tone.

Laguna suddenly swiveled her head to look over towards the other Trainer that had shouted at her. "Huh? What? What's-"

"What the hell do you think you're doing here? What is she doing in here?" Their attention would drift between Sarah and Laguna, a deep frown forming as they shouted out loudly. "You know them Nerdstars aren't allowed in here!"

Laguna's own face would immediately shift into an angry frown at the insult, ready to retort with a comeback of her own she something clicked. Both Sarah and this user had a Red Name. It immediately explained everything why they were upset at her presence, but not Sarah's.

The Creed Base.

"Hey, what's going on in there?"
"Yo, do we got an intruder?"
"Oh come on! Who interrupts poker night?"

Of all the places in Asper for this specific Doortal to take her to, this was perhaps the absolute worst place. If C.L.A.W. discovered her here, after turning down her deal with Plasma? Who knows what would be done. Likely absolutely nothing good. She highly doubted whatever secret holding cells The Creed had for their own prisoners would be as easy to escape as the Asper County Jail.

They absolutely had to have some, right? She had never seen or heard about them, but that didn't mean something didn't exist... right?

Footsteps echoed down the hall and Laguna made her decision quickly. She was not going to wait around to get caught again, and taking the time to explain about the not-so secret door would be a pretty bad idea. "Oops! Sorry Sarah, I'll explain in a bit! Bonne journée, everyone!"

She quickly grabbed Sarah's hand to try and get her to come with, immediately attempting to dive right back under the water and leave as fast as they possibly could.

"Yeah, let's just say uh- bad experiences. Tell you about it in a bit." She'd laugh it off, although perhaps it was a good thing that they closed the door so fast. Maybe if they were lucky, the players would presume they just fast traveled somewhere. But she was quite eager to go through a new door and find someplace else to hide for a bit.

Just in case.

"But like, even you gotta know! You can't exactly invite someone to your guild's hide out. Like, I can't walk you into the big ol' train Mythstar's got. Guild perks or something! I mean, I know you can change guilds! But, well you know." She'd laugh it off, swimming right behind Sarah.

That is, until they came across what looked to be a nightmarish looking plant. This was a door? A green membrane? What qualified for "Door" these days?

She had a feeling her and orioncayge would have joked about if this made the whole "Do you think there are more Doors or Wheels in the world?" debate even more complex, if plants were somehow included as doors.

"I have a feeling, this is to that alien realm. You know, some place in Ultra Space, probably." She'd slowly approach the 'door,' letting out a shaky breath. She had no idea what to expect, but she knew that any Ultra Beasts there would... be free from the Voice. So hopefully it wasn't going to be dangerous.

She pushed the membrance open, and suddenly water rushed like a rushing wave that pulled them straight through to the other side.

But luckily, they didn't go flying anywhere. It seemed they were sitting in what was simply the other side of the flower. Big enough like a bath tub, somehow holding the weight of the ocean as if physics didn't function properly here. She had to take a second to catch herself on the edges of the plant-lining, only to look up.

And simply be in awe.

They were in the middle of a vast jungle canyon the size of something like the Grand Canyon, except it twisted about in absurd ways, bending upwards and around as if she couldn't properly percieve it.

Massive stems of plantlife rose out from the canyon floor, and all around in every visible direction. Huge reddish-brown stalks that twisted and braided together, with massive twisted leaves that seemed to drip some thick, blue, gooey slime-like sap down below from glowing bulbous sacs that hung on the edges of each leaf, that soaked the ground and everything else below.

They were miles above the ground, witnessing the whole alien jungle from atop the canopy, their particular plant seemingly growing on the edge of one of the more common "trees" like some kind of symbiotic relationship. A few more seemed to cover other trees in the distance, some filled with water, others seemed to be filled with the sap from the leaves above as if catching it and feeding on it.

And yet, that wasn't even the most miraculous part about the landscape. She hadn't even begun to see it all yet.

Long twisting blue vines wrapped around these massive, gas-filled teal-colored sacks that floated upwards and into the air up above, glowing like a forest filled with its own miniature stars. Presumably, these plants flew closer up above the "tree" coverage to ensure they got light, or perhaps to avoid the sap? With the vines still tying them down somewhere so they didn't simply float off into the unknown? She didn't really have a clue.

Her eyes slowly glanced down to the ground, seeing the slime-like sap flowing down the trees, all the way to the ground blow like very slow vertical rivers and creeks that eventually touched the ground and shaped the landscape , fueling new life down below all the same. Perhaps that is how the whole canyon formed as a whole. The whole air was filled with this sickeningly sweet smell, vaguely reminiscent of licorice and mint, mixed with that classic pine smell. It was so absurd, but it actually smelled... kind of good.

She took a few moments to just breath in the air, a wide smile spreading across her face.

This place was beautiful. Multicolored flowers bloomed from the Gas-Sack vines, and the sky up above was swirling with multiple-colors almost like the Aurora Borealis. Reds and purples danced in the heavens, and yet close enough that Laguna felt like she could just reach out and touch them if she tried.

"You know? I've been to one of these alien worlds before, but it wasn't like this at all. This is stunning. Would you be opposed if we stayed here for a little bit?" Sure, hiding from any Creed members that figured out how to follow was partially on her mind, but on the other? She really wanted to soak in the memories of this place.

It really was beautiful, in the most alien of ways.

"Oh. Uh, a secret one?"

Laguna immediately realized how what she said could spawn such confusion, blinking in surprise. She mulled over how to best address the whole situation, the whole depth of Plasma in one, solid conversation.

It felt like something that could stretch on for forever, even though all she needed to do was describe the barest basics. Right? Team Plasma, Ash was leading it. They escaped Asper and came to Ostelia. But that... didn't seem right. It wouldn't do it justice. It wouldn't really show the weight and impact of it all. And if she was going to tell someone, anyone about it. Especially a good friend like Sarah, she wasn't going to half-ass this.

She noticeably took on a more serious expression, slowly leaning against the interior lining of the plant, her eyes slowly scanning back away from the beautiful displays around them to focus on Sarah.

"Do you remember, at the end of the Thunderfall Event, Professor Ash was nowhere to be found? One of the loot drops was a Letter, specifically from her." She let that soak in for a second, debating on just re-reading the whole message before she ended up just continuing to speak. "She, hid a secret message in the letter. We met up at The Cat's Meow, and, well, is apparently a wanted fugitive. Her "Superiors" seem to be doing everything they can to stop her new mission, which is exactly why she's not been around for quite some time for everyone."

She slowly gazed out across the landscape again, watching a few globs of sap drip, drip, drop down the trees below. This place was stunning, beautiful. No wonder the Ultra Beasts wanted to return to their homes. Earth wasn't theirs. It wasn't their home. This world was as alien and strange as they were to the trainers.

And yet, as much as she did not understand the rules of this world at all, how anything lived, how anything could possibly thrive here, it surely did.

"... Sarah?" Laguna would turn her attention back to the other trainer. A sudden incredibly serious tone replaced her normal casual one. It wasn't Laguna talking anymore, that typical happy and excited tone she almost always had was swiftly being replaced with a far more natural, accented voice.

It was Abigaelle speaking. One couldn't talk about the true morals of their mission, by acting like something she wasn't.

"How much do you know about Team Plasma? The Team from Black and White games?"

"Pretty much right, yeah. Black and White's core themes were about Truth and Ideals. But, Plasma's original focus, their entire message, was that Pokemon shouldn't be owned. Of course, it was a criminal team in the end, corrupted by Ghetsis whatever whatever, because it was a video game. Because they can't actually discuss the ramifications on a whole video game series about battling Pokemon, if they're going to make more."

She lets out a soft sigh, ever so casually retrieving her Golden Pokeball to rest in her palm. She didn't really know what to expect. It wasn't as if she had some grand speech planned out, or the perfect explanation for everything. But, she supposed, it was more real this way.

Perhaps it better that it wasn't rehearsed.

This was just a genuine moment.

"Ash took that original meaning, of Pokemon Rights and has been running with it since her revelation that Pokemon can speak. Consent, Communication, and Agency. These are her core truths, and-" She slowly rolled over her Golden Pokeball to reveal the shattered seal. "They're mine now too."

As if on cue, without moving an inch, one of her Pokemon suddenly made themselves known. Marina the Brionne suddenly formed from the ball, escaping all on her own. They immediately swam around Laguna's head, only to immediately wrap their flippers around Laguna's arm like a gentle hug.

"What Laguna means to say, is that we're proudly Team Plasma, hon!" The Brionne would then blow a few heart shaped bubbles, giggling quietly to herself.

Laguna can't even be mad that they showed up to interrupt her. It was probably easier this way. She immediately let out a soft chuckle, reaching up to gently pat Marina's head for a few moments. "That too. We helped Ash escape from Asper, and come to Ostelia. During that whole trip, we accidentally ended up going through a door to a world like this. But, not quite like this."

"There are people out there, that are actively trying to silence her message... For example, C.L.A.W. had us arrested to try and gain influence over Plasma. And-" She has to take a deep breath to calm herself before she can even get mad at the thought, just letting it all out. Marina casually nuzzling her nose up against the trainer's cheek, a wide smile on her face. "I can tell you all about Team Plasma at some time, if you want. Even now, if you want. I mean, we got the time. But I won't pressure you, I promise."

For a lack of a better word, Laguna was stunned. And yet, why should she be? Sarah's words immediately told her everything she needed to know about them. Absolutely zero hesitation, immediately wanting to join and sign up. It brought an immediate smile not only to her face, but to Marina's as well.

She knew they were friends for a reason.

"First of all, to be part of Plasma means that you... Well, view this world as not a game anymore. It's real as real can be. As much as that means. The rules are very simple, although when you ask Ash herself, I am sure she can tell you more."

Laguna would take a brief second to enjoy the sight of the metal rain, slowly relaxing into the water of the alien pitcher plant like it was some kind of hot tub. All that stress and worry evaporating so quickly as she smiled so widely, talking further.

"Secondly, all of your Pokemon must understand the reality of the situation. All the dangers within, and what we as trainers face. If they at any point decide to leave, they can, and will. Because-" She just casually handed the Golden Pokeball up to Marina, who balanced it on their nose like a beach ball.

"Because joining, means you break the seal. You don't own them anymore."

It was a heavy weight to share, and she allowed it to hang in the air for a few seconds before continuing. "My pokemon are with me, because they believe in me. Because I am their friend, or perhaps they are too scared to travel on their own, or any reason of their own. A Paras is within my number, who demands to find a suitable new trainer of their choice to travel with, but they're insanely picky. Which, does bring me to my second point."

"You can't trade Pokemon without their consent. This means no amassing 10 Pokemon just to toss into C.L.A.W.'s hands for an Absol, unless they all actually want to go to her. You can't catch Pokemon without their consent either because, well, the seal is broken. It doesn't work anymore."

"Plasma, is about acknowledging that Pokemon, like me, are sentient." Suddenly spoke Marina. The seal Pokemon dropping the ball back into Laguna's hands. "I come from the Lab, a "first-partner" Pokemon. Everyone knows that we get handed out to every brand new trainer. We never had a choice. But... Laguna, is my dear friend, and she proved herself again and again. She's jumped straight into the jaws of death with me, and I know she'd do it all again."

"And I promised I'd help her explore the entire world, when she reformed my flesh from clay in those vermillion halls of the afterlife. Even when she couldn't understand me, I swore it then and there. And now that she can, I tell her every day."

Laguna's heart just immediately melted, tears immediately spilling down her cheek as she moved to wrap her arms around Marina and give them a close hug. She didn't realize just how important of a promise from Marina that was until now.

"I-I-" She has to clear her throat to be able to speak properly after that heartfelt plea, but a smile remains on her face regardless. "I can take you to see Ash once we finish this quest, she's in hiding. Do you have any Pokemon you want to talk to now, before the moment comes? I didn't have a chance to talk to them ahead of time, I would have loved to know how they feel. While we are still somewhere that seems safe, at least. The next door we need to find will go to Mistra, after all."