"I promise, you'll learn to fly one day. Evolving is a process, and not even the smartest minds of ours completely understand how it is done or how to do it." A voice raised across the dunes, speaking to a particularly small friend as both flame and snowflakes were left in the trail of a the skating dancer.

"But, when will that be?" Spoke the soft-voiced bug, their little legs clinging to the back of its trainer by a frost-covered thread that wrapped around them. Beady eyes watching and scanning across the horizon, nerves seemingly obvious despite their decision to remain present. "Have you seen it?"

"Of course I have," The trainer spoke, skidding down across another dune. With all of her practice, sliding through the dunes had become a particularly favorite pastime. It was like a snowboarding course that seemed to always change shape every time she returned. "Some evolve with certain stones infused with energy, others evolve when they get stronger."

"And how will I evolve?"

A soft smile formed upon her face. "With friendship, love, and kindness in your heart."

"... Really?"

"Yes, really!" She'd laughed, her eyes suddenly glancing down at another trainer and their Pokémon across the dunes. Her feet swiftly adjusted, turning to adjust her direction and head over to say hello.

"Ahoy!" She'd shout to announce her presence to the other, but perhaps she shouldn't be too loud. Dangers continued to lurk amidst these ruins of societal collapse yet. Even now, she'd never stop searching for new friends. She had to set a good example for the little one, after all.

She immediately winced as her word seemingly woke the slumbering beast. A bamboo-like monolith of steel and energy, power enough to rocket towards the sky and the moon beyond.

This was a bit much for just her and her Snom to handle.

"Woah, woah!" She skidded to a halt, debating internally for a brief second. There unfortunately, wasn't going to be much ability to calm them down when they didn't understand English, nor... Spanish? Italian? For that matter. She wasn't the greatest at recognizing other languages, if it wasn't French.

"Coming!" Laguna shouted, dashing forwards as she swiftly pulled a small wand off her hips.

"Do we have to fight?" The Snom began, blinking softly as they nervously summoned their will.

"Normally, I'd say no. But they won't understand us... We can try. Follow my lead." She waved her Wand of the Winds in the air, a sparkling fairy light glimmering in her palms brightly. Waving her arm back and forth, furiously trying to get its attention, even as roots seemed to be slowly ripping up from the ground, disrupting dust and sand everywhere.

"Hey! You! Over here! Leave them alone!" She'd fight to defend herself and others without a single hesitation, and yet she was viewing these confrontations with the Ultra Beasts in such a different light after everything else that had happened.

And sure enough, the Celesteela's head turned, although perhaps it was only distracted by the light and nothing more.

It seemed to be... working?

"Well I'll be damned." Laguna immediately let out a quiet laugh, grinning ear to ear when the other player came up to join her. She wouldn't have judged any other trainer for responding with violence, it was fairly natural in the world of Pokémon to initiate a Pokémon Battle. And yet, this felt satisfying. This felt right. She couldn't read the Celesteela's expressions, or even their body language, but they didn't seem to attack. Even as their thrusters burned, deep roots continuing to rip up from beneath the sands and exposing what had long been hidden, ripping up at least one half-broken car. They just seemed to watch. It could turn around and attack at any second, and there was certainly room for caution, but even still Laguna held onto that hope.

She could give it a show. Maybe show it how interesting they were, that they should travel with her.

"They don't think like we do!" She'd suddenly explain to the not only the other trainer, but both of their Pokémon as well. "They attack for reasons we can't know, but not all of them. Maybe, we can convince it to relax?"

"I- Okay. Okay. I can do that." Snom spoke up, daring to drop from their trainer's back. Frictionless, they'd slide down the dune slowly, only to eventually let out a loud sneeze and shot backwards powerfully with a Powder Snow! The snowflakes floating in the air, beautifully mixing with the sparkling lights.

Laguna had to jump back to avoid being dropped down through the sand as the dunes ripped apart. The landscape itself was changing and unpredictable just like their minds.

And yet, there was some kind of beauty in that. She watched in awe, seeing the Ultra Beast made of wires suddenly dance. Wires and roots intertwined, becoming something more. A communication between two alien beings, a world of unseen thoughts, connection. It was unspoken, but she could have swore that she saw the flames of the thrusters die down. Perhaps there never had been any aggression to begin with. Maybe it expected it?

Pokémon were smart enough to know that Trainers often just challenged them to a fight, and captured them. Surely an Ultra Beast was aware as well? Maybe they just processed the thoughts differently?

Regardless, Laguna swiftly moved to pick up her Snom, twirling in one spot as she held them delicately in her hands. A sudden musical jingle echoed in the air, her Partner's theme. Soft, melodic notes filled the air. It was a soft, slow dance, her feet stepping across the sands, dancing and twirling as she cradled the bug in her arms.

"See? What have I told you? Friendship is the right path forwards."

Snom's mouth couldn't really smile, but there was no shortage of joy in their voice. "As if I doubted you!"

Sure enough, it seemed the Celesteela's head was slowly shifting back and forth, whether it was just watching all that was going on with interest, or potentially even enjoying the scene, the music, or anything else? It was hard to guess. But it was working, and that was all that mattered.