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Abby knew Orion would respect her request, he never gave off the genuinely rude air, even during any of their teasing verbal sparring matches in the past. But it was still a literal sigh of relief when he understood and immediately accepted it.

Only to swiftly attempt to make a further nickname of it with Abs. She giggled almost right away, her tension visibly melting away. "Abs is fine, you big dork. I don't hate it. But, you know, how would you feel if I called you Ron?" A few more giggles slipped from her lips, unable to help herself.

It was really hard to keep clinging to her anxieties, worries, and fears when he'd continually swat them down seemingly without even meaning to. It was so refreshing.

She'd carefully force her wheelchair over towards the pizza so she could actually grab a slice and put it atop her plate as he began to list of all the things that he packed away for them. by the time he finished, Abigaelle just blinked silently stunned. He really did prep everything, huh? Wasn't he going to be driving home later? "Damn, you're like the kind of guy all those Don't Do Drugs ads warned me about. Free alcohol and cigarettes? What's the catch?" A wide smirk had formed across her face, that signature teasing tone of hers was all too familiar. Although, notably, her accent was still far more noticeable. "Feel like you're gonna suddenly twirl around and reveal a badge."

"I'll just take an Angry Orchard though, hah. You know, I don't, um, really drink that often?" She shrugged for a moment, taking a quick bite of her pizza before speaking again. "I mean, I got like, a bulk pack of 60 grape juice boxes in my fridge, if that counts, hah! But, yeah. I'll drink occasionally, just not a fan of being total wasted drunk because uh-"

"...Because uh-"

"Umm-"

Oops. Her own Party Foul.

Now was not the time to bring up the drunk driver, the accident, or anything else like that. Tonight was not a night to dump even more of her trauma onto this man. She refused to bring down the mood.

Not on the first date.

She swiftly cleared her throat, obviously moving on. "Right! So, umm, yeah. Have you ever been to the beach before? Like, the ocean? It's my first time in years."

Laguna's breath was shaky, but her smile only grew as he took her hand for just a moment as he got settled sitting on the back of Sir Hail. The Cryogonal was patient as ever, a small ice chain gently moving to lay across the lap of Nero so that he could hold onto it. They did the exact same for Laguna as she sat down carefully before speaking up. "Are we ready for liftoff, gentlemen?"

Laguna was just about to confirm, only for Nero to speak again. She fought to keep the frown from forming on her face, just nodding her head. She patted Sir Hail softly to non-verbally confirm and the snowflake Pokemon began lifting up into the air ever so slowly, sensing the tense air, and moving upwards to the top of the wall.

"... You're not an idiot, and I never thought you were." Laguna eventually spoke up, her voice incredibly soft. "Of course it's possible, but that doesn't always mean it's easy. I-"

She herself paused, struggling once again with just how much to reveal about herself as Sir Hail lifted them up above the wall and onto the roof of the next building. Her box had bounced away a few steps, but hadn't yet fallen back down the wall yet.

"When I lost my legs, I-" Her voice suddenly choked up, trying to fight back the tears that immediately threatened to spill. "I-I broke. I was a mess. And... I suppose, I still am."

She'd suddenly place her feet down onto the roof and stubbornly moved to stand up. Her knees wobbled, but she worked hard to keep her balance. She didn't even bother to grab her package yet. "I'm sorry. I'm so used to this being my escape, that I forgot how other people might struggle. I won't forget again."

Sure enough, now that they were both on the roof, the map's marker suddenly directed them right across the roof. It seemed the next obstacle was just climbing down a fire escape on the other side and dropping down at the bottom. At least that seemed easy enough.

"When you're ready, we can head out again, okay?" She would turn to look back at Nero, nodding her head slowly. "Sir Hail won't mind if you stay seated for a bit, he's very sweet."

"Anything for a friend, Ma'am."

Laguna was not looking forwards to going back into any corrupted areas, no matter how supposedly 'safe' this area was in comparison to Mistra. She could only trust comments on the internet so much. Even still, there was lore to be found, and who was she to abandon such temptations?

Maybe there would be something to help make everything make sense?

She stood on the edge of the desert, just simply examining the ruined park from a distance. She could probably be fine. Definitely be fine. Before she could leap up and just slide right in, a chat message popped across her UI that intrigued her.

It appeared that a New Player was about to investigate the same Corruption Zone she was for the quest. Smart. When she was a newbie, she probably would have just jumped in blindly. With a grin on her face, Laguna was quick to reply.

-> Yo. I'm on the way. I'll make myself obvious. Look for the Magical Girl and her Ice-Statue Snake.

"Roxanne?" Laguna suddenly called out, and the massive Ice-Type Onix, shimmering like a massive sculpture or crystal made from ice formed right by her side with a loud thump in the ground.

"Yes, Auntie?" She spoke back with that innocently seductive tone of hers, a smile on her face as her jaw hinged open slightly.

"About to go into the Corruption Zone here to help a newbie, can I trust you to help me again?"

"Always, my dearest Auntie. My mother would not have raised a quitter. Let us be off."

With a gentle pat to the side of her Pokemon, Laguna would quickly scale them until she rode atop their head. Gripping the horn tightly while standing. It was a skill the two of them had worked on, Roxanne keeping her head mostly stable as she slithered forwards like a massive snake of ice and rock towards what appeared to have been the old, old entrance to the park.

Truth be told, she was far too obvious. Something else might notice them too, but for now, that would be fine. She could handle an Ultra Beast or Corrupted Monster for a bit.

Laguna had no idea what in the world the symbols that swirled around her Pokemon was, but it was absolutely not the thing that she should stress on the most at the moment. BigBee was rowing hard, and without a set of oars herself, there was only so much she could do.

Slamming through her UI, she quickly purchased a higher tier of moves for her Cetoddle to use as she continued to twirl her wand, hoping the Tailwind would carry them forwards, but all it really seemed to be doing was chilling out her partner with the cold winds. "Trying what I can, don't worry about me! Just keep rowing!"

"Fuck!" She cried out, reaching a hand out of her own as a freezing cold wind formed from her palm at one of the massive arms that reached up, attempting to snap at the boat. She just barely managed to push it back, but not before falling back into the boat onto her back.

"Bertha!" She called out immediately after, scrambling to get up. "Avalanche! Give it something else to bite down on!"

"Heh," Was all the whale replied with at first, its flippers raising up into the air as ice coalesced into a massive chunk in the air. "Oh, really?" It whispered right back to Toot, a grin forming on her face. "You know... I wonder if this thing can choke. What do you think?"

The Cetoddle would slam its flippers down hard as the avalanche of ice slammed down into the bottom of the whirlpool, hoping to disrupt or damage whatever foul beast was causing it all. Just as the massive chunk of ice exploded down below, one of the many clawed arms pulled under the water, only to grip onto the leg of Bertha without a word, and attempt to yank them straight underneath.

"Ahhh! That hurt-" Was all she could get out before being yanked and tugged hard under the water, pulled away from their new duck friend with a violent grapple.

"Bertha!!"

There were almost no wandering thoughts in Laguna's mind as she twirled and danced to a rhythm unseen, the beat of her heart providing the tempo. It was a moment of total peace, freedom from all worries. Freedom from everything that stressed her, from all the fears of the world. Freedom from everything.

And despite how easy it would have been to pull back, to ignore the compulsion to dance, to step away and resist, there was absolutely no desire to do so. When was the last time she had felt this free? This at ease with who she was? Her feet continued to glide across the ground, dancing as if she was twirling atop an ice rink, with nobody around to judge her. It was as if her body knew what to do before the thought could even attempt to cross her mind, acting on pure instinct.

Colors danced in her vision, swirling in distorted shapes and emotions like the stars above, like an artist painting an abstract masterpiece in her mind's eye. It was as if she was feeling the colors of the sky with every step of her dance, witnessing the music with her eyes as it twirled before her, and feeling the beat of the world in her heart. Maybe none of it was real, maybe she truly was losing her mind in this virtual world of ones and zeroes, but nothing had made her heart soar so much.

When Orion spoke up again, her eyes glazed across him as if staring straight through him for a moment.

"...my favorite dance partner."

The beat of her heart seemed to pick up, moving to grab his hands in her own. Not even the loud thud of the shooting stars landing in the sand could pull herself from the overwhelming emotional state she was in. Her palms felt cold as always, gripping onto his own as she pulled him into a twirl. A laugh would escape her own lips before she can even think of doing so, the joy spilling from her body without even a chance to hide it.

"I am always frosty." Her words spill out like she's speaking through a dream, an almost ethereal tone to her voice. She's teasing, but just the act of speaking slowly pulls her back to reality for at least a moment. Her eyes finally lock onto his own, a moment of clarity in the most surreal waking dream she has ever experienced.

When did he get so handsome?

"I don't know where this parade is going, or what the night has in store. But-" She pauses for just a second, twirling in place with him. "I don't ever want it to end."

Laguna let out a long sigh, sitting back on the edge of the road as her gaze drifted out across the crowd of people. So many people, so many places to go.

Her mind wandered as she clutched the Golden Pokeball in her hand, seal broken. To think that some of these trainers came from all over the world. It might be the American servers, but even she still started playing in Canada. What's to stop people from halfway across the world playing? What's to stop people of any age or importance playing?

Little kids playing alongside politicians, lawyers and artists, the richest people alive could be playing alongside someone only just rich enough to afford a WorldScreen. Here, everyone was an equal. Everyone was given the exact same abilities as any other. With enough work, someone could always raise to the same power as any other. There was a charm to that.

She couldn't help but smile, a hopeful dream for the future of this world on her mind.

And yet, she wasn't here solely just to think. Beside her was a cute little chalkboard sign, something she had used often when trading before. She was here looking to find a Pokemon a home, and also maybe give another Pokemon a chance at life.

"Paras looking for trainer that will love it. <3" It read on the sign, colored in cute pink chalk. Right below it, "Moltres DNA for Trade, to someone who will love them."

And with that, she sat back trying not to make a big scene. She noticed many NPCs giving her weird looks lately, maybe that was because she signed up with Plasma for Professor Ash, but she was content to just sit here and think while she waited. She'd find good homes for all the Pokemon that wanted them, she already promised. And the Moltres deserved to exist in a world that would love them too.

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."