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Laguna had to admit, she wasn't really sure what she expected when Orion called her over. But hearing him use more casual French definitely made her smile. He had this accent whenever he spoke, but it was incredibly cute. "Oh, really? 05W4lD, have you seen him?"

"Negative." It replied in its robotic tone, almost like a Speak and Spell, standing by her side. A few whirring sounds echoed from them, similar to the sounds of laughter.

"Maybe you should go search for them? Go have some fun, we'll catch up some more in a moment." She wasn't too blind, of course. Whatever conversation this was, it was probably better to be just the two of them.

"Beginning Search Protocol: Alpha." And with that 05W41D suddenly turned around, and with its feet like skis, suddenly shot off like a snowmobile, zooming across the room and back into the main party room.

She returned her attention to Orion and instantly noticed the nerves in his expression. What was going on? His voice was fading, thumbs twiddling, it was like he had something important to say. And important, it was.

Laguna felt her cheeks only growing brighter and brighter red at his words, about when they firstmet, how much fun they had, and then-

"Saint ciboire, Orion-" Her words died on her lips as soon as she spoke them, viewing the ring. She was not prepared, not ready for that. She felt torn between smacking him for getting down on one knee and giving her a near heart attack, and kissing him right away.

He loved her.

It felt like he had a firm grip around her own heart, squeezing it, and she had no idea how to respond.

So she didn't.

She was quiet, looking down at him as her eyes briefly glanced elsewhere. At her own UI, at purchasing the Couple Class.

Suddenly, hearts began to rise in the air around her, forming up from the ground and surronding the two of them as she reached out to grab his hand, and gently lift him back up to her feet.

"Orion..." She paused, slowly leaning in closer with that same lovestruck smile he was certainly familiar enough with by now. "You're such a dramatic idiot, you know that? You could have just messaged me, you didn't have to make me the perfect ring, and act like you're proposing all while we're readying for a raid unlike any other.. But, for the record?"

She suddenly leaned in, and without a single shred of hesitation pressed a kiss straight to his lips as she slid the ring from his hands and held onto it herself. "I'm glad you did, I love you too. I'll cherish this forever. But you know this means, I have to get you a gift back in return, don't you? I can't just accept this lying down, not without a chance to show you up." Her teasing grin returned, but she simply leaned in to kiss him again.

"But first, before we have another date where we show up each other again, we have a raid to win."

SPOILER: Click to show

{CPR Points}Total: 7
BRING SNACKS AND HYDRATE
BOND WITH YOUR POKEMON x3
SHARE QUEST KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHERS
PICK A RAID BUDDY
PURCHASE UPGRADES

Laguna was quiet as she listened to the Pokémon, her expression softening almost immediately as soon as she realized what the conversation was about.

They were noticing things not make sense.

She figured that some Pokémon would recognize some of the strange circumstances, but that didn't mean they'd ever find any answers they could understand. Their... programming, would never allow them to understand that they were within a virtual world, a "game" for all that meant.

If only she had something she could say to put these fears at ease.

She'd purse her lips, only to slowly let out a long sigh and finally speak up. "I'm sorry, Tikani. I understand that this all must be so confusing. These things that Trainers can do, they defy logic. There is no rhyme nor reason to what we can do. We can teleport places, a "fast travel" you'll hear it called. We can increase our strength, and your own, with a flick of our wrist by spending money. We can message people without a phone, or anything. You're not insane."

She'd slowly flick her own wrist, small snowflakes forming in her palm, twisting and twirling until they melted into the warm air.

"Tikani, this world is full of so many unknown things, that we as Trainers, tend to take for granted. They are normal to us, for reasons that I can never put into words. We are victims of a cruel fate, in where the truth is even more bizarre than how it sounds. We got magical powers, we can swim beneath waves without ever drowning, and we can share our blessings with our Pokemon."

Her eyes would glance across the room to Mr. Business, the gentlemanly Mr. Mime skating across the room with ease, as he picked up another tray of drinks.

"You're not insane, in fact, dare I say, I think you're saner than most. But sanity, comes understanding. And that's hard. Because even should I tell you the truth, you won't understand. Just as Professor Ash could not. But, despite all that, I don't tell you any of this to worry you."

"I want to encourage you." Laguna was gentle, slowly standing up to her feet and reaching a hand out to gently rest her palm against their head, should they allow it. "We can do seemingly impossible things, but we also carry our friends with us on our impossible journeys. You know your trainer better than I do, you know how they are. I've only ever interacted with Alicia for such a short time. The truth is, all that truly matters in this world, the only reality that matters, is your bond. Love. I-"

Her expression slowly twisted into a sad expression, memories of her own popping into her head.

She really wished Glacia had been here for this conversation.

Wiping her eyes for a second, she'd speak again. "Sorry. I can't answer your questions, but I can tell you what is real. Your emotions, your heart, your soul. Never allow anyone to ever tell you otherwise. Just, talk to her. Even if you don't understand, even if they say and do things you can't fathom, just... Do whatever you think is right, and everything else will always fall into pieces."

Ding.

"... And if you would believe it, I just received a message myself." She'd chuckle ever so quietly, wiping her eyes again before stepping back to check it. Once again doing that familiar motion to open her messages, interacting with her UI.

"My boyfriend is trying to summon me, it seems." She'd give them a sympathetic smile, stretching for a moment. "I need to go, we're preparing for the fight ahead. But, please don't ever hesitate to come to me to talk, alright? If you need someone else to talk to, don't hesitate to talk to my Pokemon. They're all around the room. I am sure they've noticed many of the same things as you, and they all have their own thoughts."

With a polite smile, she'd have to get up and slip away.

She could only hope Tikani would find an answer that they could live with.

Laguna would make her way over towards the pool, only to stop along the way. She realized she never told Orion she was finally heading that way. She swiftly made a pitstop next to one of the newest additions to her party, a small robotic-like Pokemon, currently in the middle of staring at itself in a broken mirror.

"Yo! 05W4lD!" She called out the Pokémon's name, and suddenly the Iron Bundle twisted its head 180 degrees to look at her. It's eyes blinked, the lights fading and returning to mimic the action. "Can you get Orion's attention for me?"

"Affirmative." They didn't hesitate even for a second, suddenly twisting around and grabbing the metallic bag, or perhaps more accurately their weapon. A bright light suddenly charged, glowing, when all of a sudden nearly a dozen snowballs would launch from them, like a rapid fire machinegun of snowball destruction. Harmless, but no doubt perfect to get his attention as it would hopefully slam straight into him.

"Hell yeah." She'd hold out a first, and the Iron Bundle didn't seem to really know what to do. Instead of bumping their flipper back, they suddenly stretched their head out on a cable to slam into Laguna's own fist. "Hah! Perfect."

She'd then finally glance over at Orion, once his attention was suitably got, giving him a teasingly 'innocent' smile before sliding away towards the pool. Curious, 05W4lD followed suit. Just in case more weaponized snow was required.

Laguna let out a long sigh, relaxing as she watched the sun slowly set across the horizon. Settling in between buildings as it set out across the city, the world ever so slowly shutting down.

It was so different being here at night. No lights of the great cities, just darkness. But tonight, there was no reason to sit in darkness, as pretty as the stars were.

"Let there be light," She spoke as she casually giggled to herself, flipping a switch. A few sparks flew, which made her cover her face, but eventually some lights slowly fluttered to life. Christmas lights of all kinds looted from abandoned hardware stores and a few lamps, powered by the collective of car batteries Orion had gathered.

A car radio and its speaker systems were hooked up to the very makeshift electric system, playing some soft music. She'd found a music store with at least a few CD's intact quite a while ago, it helped make the place feel more lived in, having something beyond the silence of the empty city.

She meanwhile, had attempted to make the place at least somewhat nice to relax in. Rugs, hanging curtains, and a few plastic potted plants everywhere. Hotel Plasma was, more like a second home at this point. Spending her evenings trying to fix up the place, hoping every day that some Ultra Beast or Player didn't come in and demolish the place. But so far, the place seemed to continue to stand.

She'd move over towards the pair of patched up lawn chairs, repaired with plenty of duct tape, sitting at the edge of the broken rooftop pool, and just collapsed into them. Sometimes, it was nice to just, sit back and relax.

... When she could keep her mind off of everything else.

A slight frown formed on her lips, remembering the abductions, the threats, everything else going on was so intense.But there was nothing she could do. Not until they had more information, as much as it hurt. As much as she wanted to be stupid and just dive into who knows where to fight who knows what to save the day, she couldn't.

She had to stay calm. The rooftop was her place to relax. Well, her's and-

"Orion?" She'd sit up, suddenly hearing a noise on the creaky old floorboards behind her in what remained of the crumbling penthouse hotel room. "And how are we doing today, hmm? Said something about a new friend?" She quickly spoke, the distraction absolutely welcomed.

Laguna would politely wave seeing familiar and friendly faces all the same, it was nice to see people getting together. Even if the topic of the future was a bit intense, the only path towards the future was the one where everyone worked together.

Getting people to befriend one another before it all, could only possibly have positive impacts.

She'd immediately wave seeing Nero arrive, happy to see the man here. She would have immediately gone over to approach him, or perhaps the Bayleef of Alicia Westfield's that was seeming to stare at her, if not for a strange man suddenly approaching her. She'd raise her eyebrows as soon as he called her "Lady Laguna," but hearing that it was Orion's Cousin immediately had her relaxing after a moment.

She was unaware that he played UNOVR! Must be a fairly new player, she imagined. What a weird time to suddenly be meeting the family. When it seemed like nobody except Orion used their real faces.

"Ahh, Well first off," She'd smirk right back, seeing his hand to shake. Instead, she casually slapped it with a laugh. "I get him into just as much trouble as he gets me into. Dancing all night across the dunes, chasing down Ultra Beasts and finding a massive broken sundial out there after they vanished? Felt trippy, that night. Diving deep into the depths of the harbor and chasing the professor into doors between dimensions? There's so many down there. We're both veterans here, back from the very start. So we've kind of been around a while, been on some wild quests. There's been a lot going on lately too, and-"

"Punch? Miss Laguna? Sir?" Suddenly, a Galarian Mr. Mime wearing a full suit, and an elegant bowler hat atop his head approached, gliding across the floor like one of those roller-skating waiters. He was carrying a small silver platter, with plastic cups of punch to those who looked like they needed it.

He was supposed to be relaxing, but it seemed he was quite content with this role. As if he always needed to have some job to do, although she supposed she couldn't blame him. He's been pretty nervous about being on the front lines for true combat, even if he didn't show it.

Laguna rolled her eyes, giving him a gentle smile as she reached over to take her cup and drink. "Thank you Mr. Business. This here is Eddie, Orion's cousin."

"Ahh, and do you also engage in the talented art of fisticuffs?" He'd make a dramatic motion, carefully balancing the platter on one of his hands as his other curled up in a fist, imitating a boxer for a second. "One of these days, I've been debating on asking him how to throw a solid knock out punch."

"Well?" She'd turn to look at Eddie. "Do you?"

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."

"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?"