Being called into the lab, Laguna was admittedly quite curious. It didn't take long to figure out the reasoning for their summoning. The essays! Especially as Ash began to pull out the folders. Almost on instinct, she'd hold up a silent fist towards Sarah Lee to bump. After all, they were the only other person here they had more than a fleeting experience with. Congratulations were in order. Of course, she never could forget orioncayge . He was the guy who gave C0D13 a proper knuckle sandwich before that was even a thing. Power to him.

When handed back her own folder, marked with gold stars, Laguna can't help but laugh and grin widely. It felt good to be praised for her Pokedex entry, that was the one she was the most confident in. Trivia was kind of just won because nobody else bothered to make one, it seemed.

"Glad you enjoyed it, Professor. Oh, before I forget, I uh, made a second trip to the Everworld. As expected, I'll eventually write up another report for you. This time, it was my starter Pokemon you handed me. She's all fine, don't you worry." And with that, her grin would widen just a little bit. "Marina is looking better than ever."

From there, she'd remain quiet politely as she spoke to the others, only to tilt her head in total confusion as she responded to Bergamot Gristleborg . What kind of paper did she even write? How curious.

The topic of Arceus was touched upon in her paper, and she supposed it was interesting. They as players could prove Arceus, but in the world, there was nothing. An utterly strange predicament they found themselves in. In this world, they were exceptional trainers with potential endless experience, but they were bound by the game itself.

It took her a brief second to remember that Ash was not indeed another real person. It was just a game...

Sometimes, she almost wished she could forget that. It sure would be more fun discovering everything from scratch, like a proper trainer in a new region.

And then... the girl called her a suffrage activist, and Laguna immediately became super confused. "Uh, excuse you? What part of this-" She points to the magical girl attire and twirls a bit in place a bit to let the skirt floof up. "Screams activist to you?" The woman, Bergamot Gristleborg seemed... interesting. Testing Ash's capacity for empathy? She supposed the game would attract all kinds, especially those who might push the NPCs, but it didn't leave a very good taste in her mouth.

Regardless, the idea of a mission certainly intrigued her. "Well, whatever it is you got in mind, you can count on me to give it a shot, Professor. I've returned from the afterlife with my Pokemon twice now, I'd welcome another challenge." Preferably, one that hurt a whole lot less.

She still sometimes felt like her feet were frozen solid. Although, that might be from something else altogether...

"Research. Insight. Dedication. Creativity." With each word, Professor Ash looks between orioncayge , Laguna , Sarah Lee , and Bergamot Gristleborg . "These are highly sought-after traits in the realm of academia. With that in mind, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Ash brings up a Trainer Profile on her computer screen, which shows a refined older man with keen eyes and a marvelous silver mustache.

"His name is Cygnus. He's an old colleague of mine from my cryptozoology days— but where I was chasing after ghosts, he was chasing legends." She seems amused. "Cygnus is, in a word... extraordinary. There are few questions he cannot answer, and few puzzles he cannot solve. He wrote the book on exploring the unknown. Which is why, when he disappears—"

She stops, taking in a breath. She lets it out again. "—the circumstances must be equally extraordinary."

The Professor has learned to relax around the four of you, but she's no fool— she knows even a dedicated player will start mashing A trying to skip ahead in the dialogue eventually. She closes in on her point. "Originally, I sent Dr. Bunya to investigate on my behalf," she says. "We've been out of contact until recently, but during our last transmission, she requested backup. The best and brightest, she said."

Ash eyes the four of you, folding her hands in front of her on the desk. "I can imagine no one more fitting to rescue Cygnus than a group of essay finalists," she says, hiding a secret smile. "...If you still wish to accept, then I will prepare your transport."

FAST TRAVEL TO LOCATION?

> CONFIRM!

> DECLINE

LOADING: GUILD THE LILY

you have received a new quest!

Salty mist blasts through the air, stinging where it peppers your skin.

You find yourselves on the edge of a high, steep line of cliffs, looking down at the swirling teal-gray waters below. Bird droppings have bleached the crags white, and ambient Wingull cries fill the air all around you. A switchback trail leads from your location down to the waterline, marked by a single signpost that says END OF THE LINE.

You're not immediately sure where you are, but checking your minimap shows you've been teleported to a location in the south of Asper, somewhere between the Surge Steppes and Birchwild Grove. The edge of both, or neither. One wrong step, and it's a sheer drop down to a watery grave.

Something else bobs among the rocks. Something white and large— large enough to fit several shipments of Starter Pokemon.

It's the missing Beta Ferry.

Someone has been repairing it.

Pick your way down the switchbacks to the ferry. Before you post, roll a D20 on Discord in the #dice-rolling channel: if you roll below a 10, you slip and fall and will begin the next round with the bloodied condition.

You may use a Ride Pokemon to safely avoid this check.

"You bet it, Sarah! I've helped Ash with a few studies here and there! Even wrote a report on Beta Island for 'em!"

Sarah Lee had also been to the Everworld? There was no doubt she'd be asking her about it later! After all, she had to collect all the possible data for the Professor! Just what kind of trials had other people encountered? Were they just as dangerous as her own? Or was her trials somehow linked to who she was, and how she needed to change?

It was strange, admittedly. Thinking of these trials as some kind of test from some all-knowing being, a deity of some kind. How did Hydance program all that anyways?

Her thoughts suddenly snapped back to reality as the Professor began to talk about the quest she had in mind for them. Cygnus, an old friend who chased after legends. Definitely sounded like someone she wanted to meet, perhaps he'd have some insight into the Everworld.

"You got it doc, we'll track them down." She grinned widely, glancing at her fellow assistants before teleporting away.

---

The first thing she smelled was the sea. That salty breeze hit her like a freight train and the view positively stunned her. Was it the prettiest cliff ever? Probably not. But the waters were just as terrifying and beautiful as it should have been. Especially since her Trial of Clay, she was going to be extra respectful of the dangers rushing water could bring.

Someone shouted about the ferry, and sure enough, her eyes suddenly narrowed on it. Bingo! Their destination was at hand!

Of course, as Morgana began her speech about somehow academics being enemies was a good thing, she fell off the cliff and immediately Laguna laughed hysterically.

Talk about starting out on the wrong foot.

Laguna giggled to herself as she summoned Roxy, the absolutely massive Onix standing tall and proud with a rather adorable little bow tied to their horn. The stone snake coiled its body around, instinctively lowering itself down so their trainer could climb aboard. She hopped up, patting their head affectionately. "That's a girl, I'm sure your momma Roxanne would be proud. Come on dear, let's make our way down the cliff. Nice and easy."

The giant rock snake might not have been a gentle ride, but she definitely knew what she was doing. Her serpentine body slithered down the edge of the cliff with all the grace a 29-foot solid stone snake could.

And there was Bunya! She had almost forgotten how they had looked. Or, had she ever actually met them? She only briefly remembered them being around during the High Tide Raid, she hadn't been playing too long beforehand. Still, what was with that monocle? Did they have just only one bad eye? Was it just fashion?

Regardless, it seemed like there was no time to wait! The Carvanha that had attacked Morgana were pacified for now, but that didn't mean more wouldn't show up to gnaw on that bloody annoying wannabe villain here in a few minutes.

And there was no way she was rowing by hand. Screw that. All the clockwork artifacts and papers and scribbles were definitely interesting, but there wasn't really time to sit and stop and make idle chit-chat about them.

Stopping at the edge of the boat, her Onix had curled up in confusion about how it was supposed to fit on board. It wouldn't exactly leave much room for everyone else, and the poor girl seemed ever conscious about their size. Despite their visible confusion, eyeing the deck quite cautiously, Laguna spoke up. "Roxy! Can you swim?"

The lumbering giant of a snake blinked, shaking itself from its thoughts as they slowly nodded their head. "Great! Get your metaphorical motor going, we're going to push this into overdrive!" The boat was already in rough shape, it would have to withstand this for now until they reached their destination. "Everyone, grab onto something! This might be rough!"

The Onix's head pushed against the back of the boat, shuddering as it attempted to send the ferry further out into the water. With a sudden Rock Polish, their stones looked so smooth for a moment that water practically glided off of them! Intent to swim like any snake would and push the boat with every single inch of its massive frame.

Gripping onto the side of the ferry itself, Laguna shouted over to Bunya. "Wherever Cygnus went, we'll find him! Everyone else, steel yourselves! Roxy has us in for the ride of our lives!"