The clopping of hooves and the rhythmic rocking of the Wyrdeer's body brought a wide smile to Shalin's ears. Her arms and elbows were still sore from her surgery, but it felt good to be in the saddle again. They certainly weren't well enough for her to use her Sygna Suit for extended periods of time. She learned that the hard way, having to have some of her grafts re-attached after riding alongside a single strong of her Venusaur's lash. There were clear limits to her suit's power, even when it had reached its peak.

As the normal-types passed a stoic-looking Stonjourner, Shalin could have sworn she saw Lathiel smiling beneath her retainer. The door to the chimeric monstrosity's heart was nearly open. It was open enough to understand Shalin's true passion. Was she worth the price of Pharika's and Ellie's lives? No. Was she going to shun her budding ally because of it? Absolutely not.

For the first time in a long time, a warm, fuzzy feeling softened the hard edges of Lathiel's heart as the two passed a Baltoy whirling and RAPID SPINNING just as fast as Dizzy did in Dewford. The smile on Shalin's face was contagious, spreading to the Type: Null. Despite the simplicity of her Wyrdeer steed's movements, she looked like she was having more fun than she had before the bitter battle that terrible day, the first time she rode Saria's Vine Whip at full speed and her strength held out.

The joy of being able to once again do something she loved, but had taken away from her for a long period of time, reset the constant adrenaline high she experienced before. Lathiel wanted to crouch and let Shalin sit in her saddle for the first time, but the time was not yet right. The Type: Null would be too rough of a ride for her in her current state. For now, the monstrous Pokémon would maintain pace, following Shalin as she reined Prance through the Safari Zone's trail.

"Prance, let's go faster!" Shalin chirped, squeezing her legs into the Wyrdeer's sides. Her green hair waved in the wind as the psychic Pokémon's strides became more rapid. The wind in her face felt refreshing after being holed up in bed for so long. One day, she would be back to full strength and could perform the eye-opening feats she once could. It was like she had to learn to ride all over again. While it was frustrating not being able to engage in the maddening thrills she once did, there was a certain amusement to again go through what it was like when she was still learning.

As she rounded a curve, a curious Pokémon soared overhead: one that seemed to levitate itself on psychic power alone. Though it was big enough to fly on, the lack of movement in its body made it no different than a Metagross to her. She let the wild be, going back to watching Lathiel run next to her. The Type: Null had no trouble keeping up with Prance's increased speed as they headed back toward the warden's gate, though on the other side of the trail.

For someone who was known for being a passenger on the most extreme motion a Pokémon was capable of, being whirled, buzzed, and even whipped about, Shalin was having all too much fun as her Wyrdeer picked up the pace, the wind blowing her long, green hair behind her. After not being to do the things she wanted to do for almost two months, she could at last truly bond with her Pokémon over the craft she loved. Even the normally stern Lathiel broke a smile, not having run so fast in a long time outside combat.

Rounding another corner back to the main road, Shalin sighted the main reason she had come to the Safari Zone: the advertised Larvesta. After they evolved, they had some of the most powerful Bug Buzzes a Pokémon was capable of. While she still had to be careful of how much she used her suit, even when her doctor authorized full use of it from what was expected to be the new year, she would have one of the missing bug Pokémon she always wanted. Larvesta were also known to be slow to evolve, though that would make it all the more worthwhile.

While she was lining up to ram and trample one, another latched onto Prance's legs with a line of STRING SHOT, entangling her and forcing her to release the psychic hold on Shalin. When it looked like she was about to fall on injured elbow, Lathiel was there to save her, the Ranger's body hanging across the Type: Null's saddle. "Lathiel... you're a life saver. Thank you." Out of respect for the creature's wishes, she slid off and remained on foot for the battle.

PSYSHIELD BASH and FLARE BLITZ met one another, both combatants breathing heavily as the bug's extreme heat ignited the entangling tethers. Prance was leaping about in pain, the charge setting her fur alight. Before the battle between them got any more deadly, the Ranger procured both Prance's Ball to withdraw her, as well as a Safari Ball to hurl at the Larvesta.