[Seashell Beach Resort: Water Park Zone]
Arlo, Link, and Froakie walked into the resort's main plaza, and the first thing that hit him was how massive the place actually was. It wasn't just another beachside hangout—it was a small city disguised as a vacation zone. The infrastructure blended nature with high-tech design: wide cobblestone paths lined with solar lights, translucent walkways suspended over shallow coral tanks, and tall glass towers that housed lounges and sea-life museums. And at the center of it all? A massive water park that looked like a hybrid of futuristic architecture and tropical chaos.
If someone told Arlo a theme park from his old world merged with something out of Final Fantasy X's Besaid, he'd believe it. The main waterslide looked like a hydraulic worm spiraling fifty feet into the air, and a surf zone blasted artificial waves with the power of a small jet engine. Boats, hoverboards, transparent kayaks, paddle drones—it was all there, just waiting to be used.Link was practically vibrating with excitement. Froakie was more composed, but his wide eyes gave him away.
Arlo chuckled. "Alright, first stop—waterslide," he said, pointing.
Link barked and bolted toward the changing stalls, dragging Froakie along. Arlo picked up a quick-change swimsuit set from the shop—a simple navy-blue trunk—and headed into the stalls.
Minutes later, they were standing at the base of the slide tower. The only way up was via a levitating platform that glided them slowly toward the top.
From there, Arlo finally understood the height—it wasn't high, it was orbital."If I die, bury me with my Pokéballs," he muttered, only half-joking. Link and Froakie didn't share his concern; they looked ready to leap straight off.
The three of them launched from the top. The first drop had Arlo's stomach trying to punch a hole through his spine. Water sprayed across his face, and they rocketed left, right, then corkscrewed into a full spin. Link howled with joy, Froakie let out a war cry, and Arlo couldn't help but laugh—even as they crash-landed into the pool below with a massive splash.
"That... was not OSHA-approved," Arlo coughed, climbing out of the pool, soaked and thrilled. Link shook water all over him. Froakie backflipped from the edge like it was nothing.
"Alright," Arlo said, wringing out his hair, "next round's on Froakie."
...
[Seashell Beach Resort: Beach Zone]
After trying a few more attractions—including an aquatic battle ring that Froakie naturally dominated—they made their way to the beach diving zone. The staff there introduced them to a veteran diver named Jarek, a burly guy with a tan sharp enough to cut steel. Jarek gave them a crash course on basic scuba technique, most of which Arlo already understood thanks to Aria's hellish survival drills.
"Keep your regulator tight. Don't freak out if something touches your leg. Most of these sea critters are harmless—unless you panic," Jarek said. He turned to Froakie. "And you, little man, stick close to your trainer. No getting lost in the coral maze."
Froakie thumped his chest with a determined "Froa..kie!"
Arlo raised an eyebrow. "Well, he's more prepared than I am."
Link gave a bark that sounded like agreement. They suited up.
Arlo wore a sleek black suit with blue tracers, modified for BrainLink sync and underwater breathing. Link had a canine model strapped onto him, complete with a mini oxygen tank. Froakie didn't need gear—he was already zipping circles in the water before they even stepped in.They dove in. The world beneath the surface was otherworldly. Fish of every color darted through the reefs, luminous plants pulsed with energy, and water-type Pokémon swam lazily by like dreamscape guardians. A school of Finneon passed them by like glittering bullets.
Arlo moved cautiously, keeping an eye on his Pokémon.
"This feels like playing Subnautica, but without the anxiety of a thirty-foot monster shark eating my face," Arlo muttered, floating past a sea anemone.
Froakie moved like he belonged there—no resistance, no hesitation. He weaved through the coral like a ninja with fins. Even Link, who wasn't a water-type, seemed to enjoy the dive. He paddled with calm precision, watching Froakie with admiration and some competitive tension.
After a good an hour, Arlo motioned for them to surface. Back on the beach, dripping and exhilarated, Arlo plopped down onto the sand, arms wide, breathing deep. "Alright," he said, looking up at the sky. "I'll admit it. Best decision I've made all month."
Froakie landed beside him, shaking saltwater from his body. Link rolled around on the sand like he was trying to make a dirt angel.
Arlo glanced at both. "You two are troublemaker." But in the silence that followed, with the breeze cool and the sunlight just right, Arlo realized something. For the first time in weeks, there was no objective. No urgent threat. No quest ticking in the corner of his mind. Just him and his team, living. And for once, that was enough.
***
[Seashell Beach Resort: Restaurant Plaza]
Still riding the adrenaline from the dive, Arlo stood with his feet buried in warm sand as the wind gently dried his clothes. His thoughts drifted back to Subnautica, but without the looming threat of a Leviathan class monstrosity creeping up behind him. This—this was peace. No alerts, no alarms, no unexpected pop-up quest windows screaming "Urgent Mission." Just ocean air, his Pokémon, and an empty schedule.
"Alright, I think it's time to refuel," Arlo muttered, brushing sand off his arm. Link barked in agreement while Froakie gave a small hop toward the resort. They left the beach and followed the shaded path back toward the restaurant plaza. One seafood grill stood out—a sleek dome-shaped eatery called "The Brine Bite," sitting on the edge of the boardwalk, its exterior glowing a soft cyan hue like a lighthouse beacon.
The place smelled like garlic butter, grilled shrimp, and roasted spices. Arlo took a seat at the terrace overlooking the water, while Link and Froakie settled at the Pokémon-designated seating area. The waiter—a cheerful guy in a captain's uniform—brought out a full sampler meal: fried calamari rings, grilled giant skewers, butter-basted crab legs, sizzling scallops, and a seared filet of a unknow fish. The aroma alone could make someone cry.
Arlo took one bite of the grilled squid and let out a low grunt. "Damn. That's illegal levels of good." He tore through the crab legs, savoring the buttery richness and hint of lemon zest. Across the table, Link crunched on his pokémon kibble topped with special Moomoo cream, tail wagging, while Froakie happily munched on a set of custom Poképuffs drizzled with Oran syrup.
Seeing the two of them so content made Arlo's stomach knot—not out of stress, but something more grounded. It was rare for him to feel present. Usually, he was too focused on battle plans, status screens, and upgrade routes. But right now, watching Froakie nibble with puffed cheeks while Link slobbered excitedly, he felt like a real trainer. Not just a player grinding through the system.
After finishing his last bite, they wandered the beach again. Link kicked sand joyfully like a toddler, and Froakie hopped from rock to rock, tongue flapping lazily. The sky bled orange as the sun dipped lower, turning the water into molten glass.
Arlo found a quiet spot and sat down, the sand cool now beneath his fingers. Link and Froakie settled beside him without needing a command. For a moment, none of them spoke or moved. Just breathing. Just existing. Arlo stared at the ocean's edge, then turned toward Froakie, something tugging at his thoughts."You know," he said, voice low, "we never really gave you a proper name." Froakie tilted his head, blinking. "Do you want one?" Froakie gave a quiet chirp, then nodded once. Link barked in agreement, tail thumping.
"Alright. Let's brainstorm.How about... Bluey?" Arlo offered.
Froakie's blank stare was borderline offensive."Okay, okay. Frozo? Sir Hop-a-Lot?" Arlo continued.
Froakie physically turned away. Link barked once. Arlo was pretty sure it was laughter."Fine. You want something cool? Something ninja-name?"
Arlo rubbed his chin. "You're quick, stealthy, already throwing bubble shurikens… Alright. How about... Kage?"
Froakie blinked. His eyes narrowed with thought, then slowly, a small smirk crept onto his face. "Froa…kie."
"Kage it is," Arlo said, nodding. "Means 'shadow.' Fits the whole ninja vibe."
Link barked happily. Froakie—no, Kage—hopped onto Arlo's lap and gave a proud chirp. The name settled between them like a quiet bond, a recognition. They weren't just trainer and Pokémon anymore—they were becoming a crew. A team. Maybe even a family
. Arlo exhaled and stood up, brushing sand off his pants."Alright, team. Let's pack it up. We've got a long ride home."
As they made their way back to the station, Kage rested on Arlo's shoulder and Link led the way with his head high. The sun dipped below the horizon, and Arlo felt the rare sense of something solid. Something earned. Something real.
***
[Quantum Cube Apartment Complex: Arlo's Room]
The evening air had cooled by the time Arlo, Link, and Kage stepped off the transit pod and returned to their apartment complex. The journey back was quiet—pleasantly so. No system alerts, no emergency updates, just the soft hum of the city settling into the night. As they reached their floor, Arlo spotted a package sitting neatly at his doorstep. He immediately recognized the label. "Shannon's delivery. Right on time." He grabbed the box and keyed in the door.
Link trotted in like he owned the place, heading straight for his bed. Kage, on the other hand, hesitated at the entrance. His wide eyes scanned the space like it was an uncharted zone in a dungeon crawler.
Arlo leaned down a bit and said, "It's home. For now, at least. Not a palace, but it won't collapse under you."
Kage slowly stepped inside, still cautious, still processing. Arlo noted it mentally—Kage was observant, maybe even a little paranoid. Useful traits in the long run.
Arlo dropped the package on the kitchen counter and stretched. His back popped loudly. "Alright, you two—shut-eye time. We've got stuff to do in the morning."
Link had already curled into his bed, yawning like a champ. He looked over at Kage and barked softly. Kage looked unsure but eventually padded over, settling next to Link. Their tails lightly touched. Arlo watched them for a second before heading to his own bed, tossing his jacket aside.
...
The next morning came fast. Arlo stirred awake, eyes blinking against the early light seeping through the blinds. Link was still snoring softly, his legs twitching—probably dreaming of chasing Pidgey or something. Kage was balled up next to him, breathing steady.
Arlo sat up and grabbed his portable console from the desk. "Time to plan," he muttered. He activated his BrainLink and pulled up the list Aria sent him a few days ago.
The referral was for a travel service called Odyssey Peak Travel Agency.
From what Arlo skimmed, it wasn't just any agency—it was tailored for pioneers looking for multiversal downtime without getting vaporized by a stray inter-dimensional wormhole. That alone gave them five stars in his book.
He tapped the listed contact number, and a moment later, a sleek video feed popped open. A woman with short lavender hair and sleek techwear appeared onscreen. She smiled professionally. "Good day, and welcome to Odyssey Peak. My name is Kyla. How may I assist you today?"
Arlo gave her a casual nod. "Hey, name's Arlo Leeroy. I was referred to you by a friend. Looking to schedule a vacation offworld. Preferably somewhere… chill. With gravity."
"Of course, Mr. Leeroy," Kyla replied smoothly. "Please transmit the referral code. We offer specialized packages for pioneers, including multiverse-rated safe zones."
Arlo thought-confirmed the code through his BrainLink, and Kyla's screen flickered for a moment before nodding in approval. "Referral accepted. Thank you for choosing Odyssey Peak. You now have access to Tier-2 travel options. Would you prefer a filtered list based on environment or threat classification?"
"Show me universes that have planet Earth," Arlo said. "Preferably ones where I won't need to dodge alien warlords or kaiju invasion."
Kyla chuckled lightly and began typing. "Understood. I'm filtering for D-Rank universes with minimal combat zones, breathable atmosphere, Native Earth Populations, and acceptable infrastructure. Displaying results now."
A holo-screen opened beside the video feed. Arlo scanned the listings. One looked like post-apocalyptic Earth—too gritty. Another resembled a world stuck in permanent 1980s aesthetics. No thanks. The third one caught his attention: Universe-ED4321. Lush jungles, ruined ancient cities, and a safe-zone rating of 85%.
"Universe-ED4321, huh? Looks like Uncharted meets Stardew Valley," Arlo muttered. He glanced over to Link and Kage, both now awake and watching the screen curiously.
"You've got decent taste," Kyla said, noting his hover pointer. "It's a low-threat ecosystem, high in biodiversity, and offers a solid mix of exploration, rest, and light challenge. Good for bonding activities."
Arlo nodded. "I should look for other option, if not I will stick to this one." He scrolled through the recommended list of universes again.
One title blinked at him: [Universe—EA1214].
It caught his attention for all the wrong reasons. At first glance, it looked like a basic Earth replica—skyscrapers, dense cities, late-stage capitalism in full swing, all painfully familiar. But its D-Rank classification flagged something else entirely.
According to the travel agency's notes, there were no open signs of anomalies—no magical factions or full-blown alien invasions. Still, the SYSTEM tagged it D-Rank, which meant something was under the radar. Something people didn't know about.
"Probably a SCP-level situation," Arlo muttered to himself, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "Looks normal, until it's not."
"I'll take Universe—EA1214. Looks quiet enough," Arlo said.
Kyla smiled politely and began typing on her holo-interface. "Excellent. That'll be 350 credits. Full package."
Arlo nodded. "And that includes…?"
"All services," she replied, not missing a beat. "A fully integrated civilian identity tied to the local system. Matching currency credit packet. Starter housing registered under that identity. And a System-safe Beacon—just in case you need to be pulled out in an emergency."
Basically, a plug-and-play life. Arlo appreciated the simplicity. Going into a new universe without proper integration was begging for red flags. "Right. Identification, local money, and more. Noted."
"And you'll need to report to our designated portal site, Here in our agency" Kyla continued. "The SYSTEM authorizes portals from travel agencies like ours for Visiting or Vacation Purpose. Aerith Tower's gates are restricted to Quest-Grade Portal."
"Let me guess—too many rookie pioneer used portals and ended up in dire situations?" Arlo asked with a dry smirk. "You'd be surprised how often that happens," she replied with a shrug.
Made sense. Pioneers weren't just tourists with extra stamina—they were technically armed evolved beings. Tossing one into an unstable universe without prepping the landing could trigger a chain reaction. Even if A214 was considered safe-ish, Arlo knew better than to underestimate SYSTEM logic.
"Alright, send me the coordinates. I'll check in within the next coming weeks," Arlo said. The credit transfer pinged through his BrainLink a second later.
"Done. You're all set, Mr. Leeroy. Safe travels," Kyla said with a slight bow before the call ended.
Arlo exhaled slowly, rubbing his eyes. One thing off the list. Just one small break before diving back into grinding, assignments, and chaotic upgrades. As he closed the screen, he heard shuffling from the corner of the room.