Chapter Notes: So, I already had about 200 words for this chapter written out directly after last chapter was posted, but my inspiration for it just... Vanished. And I lost the urge to write for it. The only reason I find myself able to write for it now is because I was trying to get myself into right mindset to work on my Interferes Series. And while that's still out of my grasp, I'm going to try and get a chapter or two more up for this before my muse inevitably runs away. So, short chapter is short, but still a chapter!

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon:

Explorers of the World!

Chapter Three:

Decisions Made

The weeks after the Festival were filled with intense boredom. Abby found herself running around Beach Town in a constant state of focus as she tried to keep from becoming listless and restless in the heat and lack of interesting happenings. She volunteered to help wherever she could, organizing things at Finn's, or helping Barbara do inventory, or even babysitting Mano and his friends. She even managed to get Old Man Gyarados to let her help the Magikarp unload a shipment from his latest Treasure Hunting. She was starting to get a little frustrated with herself, to be honest. It wasn't that she didn't like Beach Town, she adored the cozy little place, with its friendly, warm, and welcoming Pokémon and its beautiful view.

It was just…

After the Festival, hearing about all the different places and Pokémon out on the rest of Gold Island, and working at Finn's and seeing just how big Gold Island was… Abby was starting to feel almost claustrophobic. She just, she felt confined to Beach Town, as if she were pinned down and stuck.

Abby sighed unhappily as she sorted through the seaweed Sagara was collecting for the new roof on their Hut. The Seismitoad hummed lowly, the vibration of the questioning sound making the Shinx's ears tingle slightly. Abby glanced over when the older Pokémon clucked her tongue gently.

"You have itchy feet, little one," the Seismitoad informed her gently, amused; Abby blinked in confusion, spitting her mouthful of untangled seaweed into the required basket.

"Itchy feet?" She asked, confused; Sagara nodded easily, sagely, as she neatly untangled a large ball of seaweed.

"You want to move, constantly wanting to go with the wind and waters. And, as much as you call this Town your Home now, your heart yearns for the Wildes. You want to travel this world, see everything that you can, and then see more." Abby felt her heart ache with those words, the longing in her so strong that she almost couldn't breathe past it. Sagara was watching her now, crimson eyes kind and oh-so-understanding, and Abby looked away, staring blankly out at the sea, watching the sparkling water and the distant forms of Wingulls and Pelippers flying in the distance.

"There's no shame in it, Abby," the Seismitoad told her gently. "My husband is the same way." Abby's head shot back around to stare at the older Pokémon, eyes wide. Sagara was the one staring out at sea now, a wistful, fond smile on her face. This was the first time Abby had heard anything about the father of her dear friends, beyond Mano mentioning a letter and Morie showing her a fancy pearl he'd sent for her last Hatching Day.

"Nadisu can no more stop his feet from wandering than he can stop his heart from beating," the Seismitoad told her fondly, lovingly. "I knew this long before we married. Long before I brought Morie into this world alone, and then Mano. My husband's itchy feet take him across the sea, across the different Islands and lands, through the jungles and rivers and caves. When I was Morie's age, just a silly Palpitoad myself, I went with him for a while, with my parent's blessings. I love him, after all, and it made the most sense at the time. If he cannot bare to stay in one place, even with me, then I would just have to follow him across the world." Sagara hummed again, obviously remembering fond things as she smiled.

"What happened?" Abby asked curiously; Sagara smiled a little wider.

"My feet grew tired," she replied simply. "And my heart ached for a Home. So, we traveled back here, where my parents built this Hut, and we made it the Home he would always come back to. Now, I stay here and help my neighbors, and Nadisu follows the whims of his feet and the wind. He returns every few years, but his stays never last long. A month, at most, and then his wandering spirit carries him away once again." Sagara chuckled, shaking her head gently, before turning her crimson gaze back onto the Shinx.

"So, know that when I say you have Itchy Feet, little one, I speak from experience with such things. Your Spirit is an Adventurer, and Explorer, little Abby." Sagara reached forward and gently set her large hand over Abby's head, holding her eyes with her own. "Just because your Body and Spirit wanders, does not mean your Heart ever leaves Home. Remember that, and know you have my blessing to leave and return, whenever you like. You will always have a place here, little one." Abby felt her eyes burn with tears and leapt forward, into the Seismitoad's open arms to bury her face in the large Pokémon's chest. Sagara hummed soothingly, the vibrations low and gentle, and Abby sniffled as she kept her face hidden.

The two of them remained like that for several long minutes, before Sagara spoke again, gently stroking her hand over Abby's back in a soothing manner.

"You know, the Guild's Acceptance Day is in a month," she told the Shinx gently. Abby sniffled and leaned back enough to peer up at the Seismitoad's expression, taking in the fond, knowing smile and feeling her ears twitch in sheepish embarrassment. "It would only take a week or so for you to travel to the Guild from here."

"That obvious, huh?" Abby asked sheepishly; Sagara's smile widened.

"Only mostly," she replied mischievously; Abby laughed and shook her head, wiggling out of the Seismitoad's hold and returning to her pile of seaweed. "Let's get the roof fixed up, little Abby, and then we shall start gathering the things you will need, alright?"

"Right," Abby agreed, smiling warmly as she once again began to sort the different lengths of untangled seaweed, joining Sagara in her humming as the two worked side-by-side.

Abby couldn't remember what her mother was like, Before. She wasn't even sure she had a mother in the Before. But, here and now, she knew with absolute certainty, that Sagara was the best mother she could have hoped for in this world.

Chapter End

Chapter Notes: Sagara's Husbands information was chosen because a Reviewer specifically asked. He's a Seismitoad as well, but he has a horrendously bad case of Wanderlust. So, there you go TheDragonPrinces, he's pretty much MIA but still in contact, still a loving dad/husband, just unable to stay in once place for long without his mental health deteriorating.

Sagara's husband's name, Nadisu, is a Hindi name meaning Beautiful River according to my Baby Name Book.

The rest of Beach Town is more than aware that Abby is restless as all get out. There's a running bet at the Marooned Messenger's Inn about when she'll leave for the Guild. So far, Quinn and Finn are tied.

HINT/SPOILER: Nadisu and Abby are going to meet in the future, though not for some time.