diff --git a/asm/macros/event.inc b/asm/macros/event.inc
index a5e37967c6..e460f8e2ff 100644
--- a/asm/macros/event.inc
+++ b/asm/macros/event.inc
@@ -1823,9 +1823,10 @@
 	.4byte \text
 	.endm
 
-	@ Equivalent to fadescreen but copies gPlttBufferUnfaded to an allocated buffer on the fade out
-	@ and the reverse on the fade in, in effect saving gPlttBufferUnfaded to restore it.
-	@ If nowait set, does not wait for the fade to complete
+	@ Equivalent to fadescreen but uses a hardware fade and darken/lighten blend modes,
+	@ to avoid modifying palettes at all.
+	@ Useful for fade-out/fade-in without leaving the overworld or entering a new scene.
+	@ If nowait set, doesn't wait for the fade to complete
 	.macro fadescreenswapbuffers mode:req, nowait=0
 	.byte SCR_OP_FADESCREENSWAPBUFFERS
 	.byte \mode
@@ -2539,3 +2540,11 @@
 	compare \a, \b
 	cant_see_if 5
 	.endm
+
+		@ hide any follower pokemon if present,
+	@ putting them into their pokeball;
+	@ by default waits for their movement to finish
+	.macro hidefollower wait=1
+	callfunc ScrFunc_hidefollower
+	.2byte \wait
+	.endm
diff --git a/asm/macros/field_effect_script.inc b/asm/macros/field_effect_script.inc
index 38f7e31750..68d8502a9d 100644
--- a/asm/macros/field_effect_script.inc
+++ b/asm/macros/field_effect_script.inc
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+#include "constants/field_weather.h"
 @ The first .byte argument of each macro below is an index into gFieldEffectScriptFuncs
 
 	.macro field_eff_loadtiles address:req
@@ -5,9 +6,10 @@
 	.4byte \address
 	.endm
 
-	.macro field_eff_loadfadedpal address:req
+	.macro field_eff_loadfadedpal address:req, color_map_type=COLOR_MAP_DARK_CONTRAST
 	.byte 1
 	.4byte \address
+	.byte  \color_map_type
 	.endm
 
 	.macro field_eff_loadpal address:req
@@ -24,10 +26,11 @@
 	.byte 4
 	.endm
 
-	.macro field_eff_loadgfx_callnative tiles_address:req, palette_address:req, function_address:req
+	.macro field_eff_loadgfx_callnative tiles_address:req, palette_address:req, function_address:req, color_map_type=COLOR_MAP_DARK_CONTRAST
 	.byte 5
 	.4byte \tiles_address
 	.4byte \palette_address
+	.byte  \color_map_type
 	.4byte \function_address
 	.endm
 
@@ -37,8 +40,9 @@
 	.4byte \function_address
 	.endm
 
-	.macro field_eff_loadfadedpal_callnative palette_address:req, function_address:req
+	.macro field_eff_loadfadedpal_callnative palette_address:req, function_address:req, color_map_type=COLOR_MAP_DARK_CONTRAST
 	.byte 7
 	.4byte \palette_address
+	.byte  \color_map_type
 	.4byte \function_address
 	.endm
diff --git a/data/scripts/field_move_scripts.inc b/data/scripts/field_move_scripts.inc
index f1bd3618e1..30393b771d 100644
--- a/data/scripts/field_move_scripts.inc
+++ b/data/scripts/field_move_scripts.inc
@@ -118,7 +118,6 @@ EventScript_FollowerSwap:
 	return
 
 EventScript_FollowerMoveNorth:
-	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_FOLLOWER, Movement_WalkUp
 	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_PLAYER, Movement_WalkDown
 	waitmovement 0
 	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_PLAYER, Common_Movement_FaceUp
@@ -126,7 +125,6 @@ EventScript_FollowerMoveNorth:
 	return
 
 EventScript_FollowerMoveEast:
-	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_FOLLOWER, Movement_WalkRight
 	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_PLAYER, Movement_WalkLeft
 	waitmovement 0
 	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_PLAYER, Common_Movement_FaceRight
@@ -134,7 +132,6 @@ EventScript_FollowerMoveEast:
 	return
 
 EventScript_FollowerMoveSouth:
-	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_FOLLOWER, Movement_WalkDown
 	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_PLAYER, Movement_WalkUp
 	waitmovement 0
 	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_PLAYER, Common_Movement_FaceDown
@@ -142,7 +139,6 @@ EventScript_FollowerMoveSouth:
 	return
 
 EventScript_FollowerMoveWest:
-	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_FOLLOWER, Movement_WalkLeft
 	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_PLAYER, Movement_WalkRight
 	waitmovement 0
 	applymovement OBJ_EVENT_ID_PLAYER, Common_Movement_FaceLeft
diff --git a/data/scripts/pkmn_center_nurse.inc b/data/scripts/pkmn_center_nurse.inc
index 4aca9d768b..ef33e09395 100644
--- a/data/scripts/pkmn_center_nurse.inc
+++ b/data/scripts/pkmn_center_nurse.inc
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ EventScript_PkmnCenterNurse_IllTakeYourPkmn2::
 	return
 
 EventScript_PkmnCenterNurse_TakeAndHealPkmn::
+	hidefollower 0
 	applymovement VAR_0x800B, Movement_PkmnCenterNurse_Turn @ Changed from Common_Movement_WalkInPlaceFasterLeft to force the follower to enter their Poké Ball
 	waitmovement 0
 	dofieldeffect FLDEFF_POKECENTER_HEAL
diff --git a/data/scripts/std_msgbox.inc b/data/scripts/std_msgbox.inc
index c46da56cbf..40026c8ea0 100644
--- a/data/scripts/std_msgbox.inc
+++ b/data/scripts/std_msgbox.inc
@@ -8,11 +8,13 @@ Std_MsgboxNPC:
 	return
 
 Std_MsgboxSign:
+  setflag FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT
 	lockall
 	message NULL
 	waitmessage
 	waitbuttonpress
 	releaseall
+  clearflag FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT
 	return
 
 Std_MsgboxDefault:
diff --git a/include/config/overworld.h b/include/config/overworld.h
index a9a4f93727..4ed3b251cf 100644
--- a/include/config/overworld.h
+++ b/include/config/overworld.h
@@ -60,6 +60,33 @@
 #define OW_FOLLOWERS_WEATHER_FORMS     FALSE      // If TRUE, Castform and Cherrim gain FORM_CHANGE_OVERWORLD_WEATHER, which will make them transform in the overworld based on the weather.
 #define OW_FOLLOWERS_COPY_WILD_PKMN    FALSE      // If TRUE, follower Pokémon that know Transform or have Illusion/Imposter will copy wild Pokémon at random.
 
+// New/old handling for followers during scripts;
+// TRUE: Script collisions hide follower, FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT on by default
+// (scripted player movement moves follower too!)
+// FALSE: Script collisions unhandled, FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT off by default
+#define OW_MON_SCRIPT_MOVEMENT TRUE
+
+// If set, the only pokemon allowed to follow you
+// will be those matching species, met location,
+// and/or met level;
+// These accept vars, too: VAR_TEMP_1, etc
+#define OW_MON_ALLOWED_SPECIES (0)
+#define OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LVL (0)
+#define OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LOC (0)
+// Examples:
+// Yellow Pikachu:
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_SPECIES (SPECIES_PIKACHU)
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LVL (0)
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LOC (MAPSEC_PALLET_TOWN)
+// Hoenn Starter:
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_SPECIES (0)
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LVL (5)
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LOC (MAPSEC_ROUTE_101)
+// Species set in VAR_XXXX:
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_SPECIES (VAR_XXXX)
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LVL (0)
+// #define OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LOC (0)
+
 // Out-of-battle Ability effects
 #define OW_SYNCHRONIZE_NATURE       GEN_LATEST // In Gen8+, if a Pokémon with Synchronize leads the party, wild Pokémon will always have their same Nature as opposed to the 50% chance in previous games. Gift Pokémon excluded.
                                                // In USUM (here GEN_7), if a Pokémon with Synchronize leads the party, gift Pokémon will always have their same Nature regardless of their Egg Group.
diff --git a/include/constants/field_weather.h b/include/constants/field_weather.h
index d4f17e261c..4f0e05d54d 100644
--- a/include/constants/field_weather.h
+++ b/include/constants/field_weather.h
@@ -3,6 +3,14 @@
 
 #include "config/overworld.h"
 
+// sPaletteColorMapTypes & field_effect_scripts
+enum
+{
+    COLOR_MAP_NONE,
+    COLOR_MAP_DARK_CONTRAST,
+    COLOR_MAP_CONTRAST,
+};
+
 #define MAX_RAIN_SPRITES             24
 #define NUM_CLOUD_SPRITES            3
 #define NUM_FOG_HORIZONTAL_SPRITES   20
diff --git a/include/constants/flags.h b/include/constants/flags.h
index b1fcae5eb7..9450c6de1c 100644
--- a/include/constants/flags.h
+++ b/include/constants/flags.h
@@ -1647,7 +1647,9 @@
 #define FLAG_ENABLE_MULTI_CORRIDOR_DOOR         (SPECIAL_FLAGS_START + 0x2)
 #define FLAG_SPECIAL_FLAG_UNUSED_0x4003         (SPECIAL_FLAGS_START + 0x3) // Unused Flag
 #define FLAG_STORING_ITEMS_IN_PYRAMID_BAG       (SPECIAL_FLAGS_START + 0x4)
-#define FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT             (SPECIAL_FLAGS_START + 0x5) // When set, applymovement does not put the follower inside a pokeball
+// When set, `applymovement` does not hide follower pokemon;
+// Also, scripted movements on the player will move follower(s), too
+#define FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT             (SPECIAL_FLAGS_START + 0x5)
 // FLAG_SPECIAL_FLAG_0x4005 - 0x407F also exist and are unused
 #define SPECIAL_FLAGS_END                       (SPECIAL_FLAGS_START + 0x7F)
 #define NUM_SPECIAL_FLAGS                       (SPECIAL_FLAGS_END - SPECIAL_FLAGS_START + 1)
diff --git a/include/event_object_movement.h b/include/event_object_movement.h
index d7999ee1f9..81db48d3a9 100644
--- a/include/event_object_movement.h
+++ b/include/event_object_movement.h
@@ -190,6 +190,7 @@ u8 GetWalkInPlaceFastMovementAction(u32);
 u8 GetWalkInPlaceNormalMovementAction(u32);
 u8 GetWalkInPlaceSlowMovementAction(u32);
 u8 GetCollisionAtCoords(struct ObjectEvent *, s16 x, s16 y, u32 dir);
+u32 GetObjectObjectCollidesWith(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, s16 x, s16 y, bool32 addCoords);
 void MoveCoords(u8 direction, s16 *x, s16 *y);
 bool8 ObjectEventIsHeldMovementActive(struct ObjectEvent *);
 u8 ObjectEventClearHeldMovementIfFinished(struct ObjectEvent *);
diff --git a/include/field_weather.h b/include/field_weather.h
index 02cc560e45..a8cbcc572a 100644
--- a/include/field_weather.h
+++ b/include/field_weather.h
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ void SetCurrentAndNextWeatherNoDelay(u8 weather);
 void ApplyWeatherColorMapIfIdle(s8 colorMapIndex);
 void ApplyWeatherColorMapIfIdle_Gradual(u8 colorMapIndex, u8 targetColorMapIndex, u8 colorMapStepDelay);
 void FadeScreen(u8 mode, s8 delay);
+u16 FadeScreenHardware(u8 mode, s8 delay);
 bool8 IsWeatherNotFadingIn(void);
 void UpdateSpritePaletteWithWeather(u8 spritePaletteIndex, bool8 allowFog);
 void ApplyWeatherColorMapToPals(u8 startPalIndex, u8 numPalettes);
@@ -165,7 +166,9 @@ void PlayRainStoppingSoundEffect(void);
 u8 IsWeatherChangeComplete(void);
 void SetWeatherScreenFadeOut(void);
 void SetWeatherPalStateIdle(void);
+const u8* SetPaletteColorMapType(u8 paletteIndex, u8 colorMapType);
 void PreservePaletteInWeather(u8 preservedPalIndex);
+void ResetPaletteColorMapType(u8 paletteIndex);
 void ResetPreservedPalettesInWeather(void);
 bool32 IsWeatherAlphaBlend(void);
 
diff --git a/include/gba/io_reg.h b/include/gba/io_reg.h
index db219aeb35..aebee69665 100644
--- a/include/gba/io_reg.h
+++ b/include/gba/io_reg.h
@@ -599,6 +599,7 @@
 #define BLDCNT_EFFECT_BLEND     (1 << 6)   // 1st+2nd targets mixed (controlled by BLDALPHA)
 #define BLDCNT_EFFECT_LIGHTEN   (2 << 6)   // 1st target becomes whiter (controlled by BLDY)
 #define BLDCNT_EFFECT_DARKEN    (3 << 6)   // 1st target becomes blacker (controlled by BLDY)
+#define BLDCNT_EFFECT_EFF_MASK  (3 << 6)    // mask to check effect
 // Bits 8-13 select layers for the 2nd target
 #define BLDCNT_TGT2_BG0      (1 << 8)
 #define BLDCNT_TGT2_BG1      (1 << 9)
@@ -611,6 +612,8 @@
 
 // BLDALPHA
 #define BLDALPHA_BLEND(target1, target2) (((target2) << 8) | (target1))
+#define BLDALPHA_TGT1(bld) ((bld) & 0x1F)
+#define BLDALPHA_TGT2(bld) (((bld) >> 8) & 0x1F)
 
 // SOUNDCNT_H
 #define SOUND_CGB_MIX_QUARTER 0x0000
diff --git a/include/overworld.h b/include/overworld.h
index 2107a00b50..f716b51015 100644
--- a/include/overworld.h
+++ b/include/overworld.h
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@
 
 #define SKIP_OBJECT_EVENT_LOAD  1
 
+// trigger a time-of-day blend once
+#define HOURS_BLEND_ONCE 25
+// don't update currentTimeBlend
+#define HOURS_FREEZE_BLEND 26
+
 struct InitialPlayerAvatarState
 {
     u8 transitionFlags;
@@ -40,15 +45,7 @@ struct LinkPlayerObjectEvent
     u8 movementMode;
 };
 
-struct __attribute__((packed)) TimeBlendSettings
-{
-    u16 weight:9;
-    u16 finalTimeOfDay:3;
-    u16 initialTimeOfDay:3;
-    u16 unused:1;
-    u16 altWeight;
-};
-
+// Exported RAM declarations
 extern struct WarpData gLastUsedWarp;
 extern struct LinkPlayerObjectEvent gLinkPlayerObjectEvents[4];
 
@@ -63,7 +60,7 @@ extern u8 gFieldLinkPlayerCount;
 extern bool8 gExitStairsMovementDisabled;
 extern bool8 gSkipShowMonAnim;
 extern u8 gTimeOfDay;
-extern u16 gTimeUpdateCounter;
+extern s16 gTimeUpdateCounter;
 
 extern struct TimeBlendSettings currentTimeBlend;
 
@@ -173,6 +170,7 @@ bool32 Overworld_RecvKeysFromLinkIsRunning(void);
 bool32 Overworld_SendKeysToLinkIsRunning(void);
 bool32 IsSendingKeysOverCable(void);
 void ClearLinkPlayerObjectEvents(void);
+bool16 SetTimeOfDay(u16 hours);
 
 // Item Description Headers
 enum ItemObtainFlags
diff --git a/include/palette.h b/include/palette.h
index 4d918e9001..ab61068e73 100644
--- a/include/palette.h
+++ b/include/palette.h
@@ -46,6 +46,13 @@ struct BlendSettings
     u32 unused:2;
 };
 
+struct __attribute__((packed)) TimeBlendSettings {
+  struct BlendSettings bld0;
+  struct BlendSettings bld1;
+  u16 weight;
+  u16 altWeight;
+};
+
 struct PaletteFadeControl
 {
     u32 multipurpose1; // This field needs to exist or errors will occur
diff --git a/include/sprite.h b/include/sprite.h
index 8f69aba8c6..64ea88b293 100644
--- a/include/sprite.h
+++ b/include/sprite.h
@@ -303,8 +303,7 @@ void FreeOamMatrix(u8 matrixNum);
 void InitSpriteAffineAnim(struct Sprite *sprite);
 void SetOamMatrixRotationScaling(u8 matrixNum, s16 xScale, s16 yScale, u16 rotation);
 u16 LoadSpriteSheet(const struct SpriteSheet *sheet);
-u16 LoadSpriteSheetByTemplateWithOffset(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, u32 frame, s32 offset);
-u16 LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, u8 frame);
+u16 LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, u32 frame, s32 offset);
 void LoadSpriteSheets(const struct SpriteSheet *sheets);
 s16 AllocSpriteTiles(u16 tileCount);
 u16 AllocTilesForSpriteSheet(struct SpriteSheet *sheet);
diff --git a/src/battle_controllers.c b/src/battle_controllers.c
index 856da30d1b..c7d7230342 100644
--- a/src/battle_controllers.c
+++ b/src/battle_controllers.c
@@ -2061,18 +2061,23 @@ static void SetBattlerMonData(u32 battler, struct Pokemon *party, u32 monId)
         HandleLowHpMusicChange(&party[gBattlerPartyIndexes[battler]], battler);
 }
 
-// In normal singles, if follower pokemon is out, have it slide in instead of being thrown
-static bool8 ShouldDoSlideInAnim(void)
+// In normal singles, if follower Pokémon exists, and the Pokémon following is being sent out, have it slide in instead of being thrown
+static bool8 ShouldDoSlideInAnim(u32 battler)
 {
     struct ObjectEvent *followerObj = GetFollowerObject();
     if (!followerObj || followerObj->invisible)
         return FALSE;
+
     if (gBattleTypeFlags & (
         BATTLE_TYPE_LINK | BATTLE_TYPE_DOUBLE | BATTLE_TYPE_FRONTIER | BATTLE_TYPE_FIRST_BATTLE |
         BATTLE_TYPE_SAFARI | BATTLE_TYPE_WALLY_TUTORIAL | BATTLE_TYPE_EREADER_TRAINER | BATTLE_TYPE_TWO_OPPONENTS |
         BATTLE_TYPE_INGAME_PARTNER | BATTLE_TYPE_RECORDED | BATTLE_TYPE_TRAINER_HILL)
     )
         return FALSE;
+
+    if (GetFirstLiveMon() != &gPlayerParty[gBattlerPartyIndexes[battler]])
+        return FALSE;
+
     return TRUE;
 }
 
@@ -2847,7 +2852,7 @@ void BtlController_HandleIntroTrainerBallThrow(u32 battler, u16 tagTrainerPal, c
     if (side == B_SIDE_PLAYER)
     {
         StoreSpriteCallbackInData6(&gSprites[gBattleStruct->trainerSlideSpriteIds[battler]], SpriteCB_FreePlayerSpriteLoadMonSprite);
-        StartSpriteAnim(&gSprites[gBattleStruct->trainerSlideSpriteIds[battler]], ShouldDoSlideInAnim() ? 2 : 1);
+        StartSpriteAnim(&gSprites[gBattleStruct->trainerSlideSpriteIds[battler]], ShouldDoSlideInAnim(battler) ? 2 : 1);
 
         paletteNum = AllocSpritePalette(tagTrainerPal);
         LoadCompressedPalette(trainerPal, OBJ_PLTT_ID(paletteNum), PLTT_SIZE_4BPP);
@@ -2906,17 +2911,17 @@ static void Task_StartSendOutAnim(u8 taskId)
         if (TwoMonsAtSendOut(battler))
         {
             gBattleResources->bufferA[battler][1] = gBattlerPartyIndexes[battler];
-            StartSendOutAnim(battler, FALSE, FALSE, ShouldDoSlideInAnim());
+            StartSendOutAnim(battler, FALSE, FALSE, ShouldDoSlideInAnim(battler));
 
             battlerPartner = battler ^ BIT_FLANK;
             gBattleResources->bufferA[battlerPartner][1] = gBattlerPartyIndexes[battlerPartner];
             BattleLoadMonSpriteGfx(&gPlayerParty[gBattlerPartyIndexes[battlerPartner]], battlerPartner);
-            StartSendOutAnim(battlerPartner, FALSE, FALSE, ShouldDoSlideInAnim());
+            StartSendOutAnim(battlerPartner, FALSE, FALSE, ShouldDoSlideInAnim(battler));
         }
         else
         {
             gBattleResources->bufferA[battler][1] = gBattlerPartyIndexes[battler];
-            StartSendOutAnim(battler, FALSE, FALSE, ShouldDoSlideInAnim());
+            StartSendOutAnim(battler, FALSE, FALSE, ShouldDoSlideInAnim(battler));
         }
         gBattlerControllerFuncs[battler] = (void*)(GetWordTaskArg(taskId, tControllerFunc_1));
         DestroyTask(taskId);
diff --git a/src/decompress.c b/src/decompress.c
index e90b665366..8c2f335614 100644
--- a/src/decompress.c
+++ b/src/decompress.c
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ u32 LoadCompressedSpriteSheetByTemplate(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, s
 
     // Check for LZ77 header and read uncompressed size, or fallback if not compressed (zero size)
     if ((size = IsLZ77Data(template->images->data, TILE_SIZE_4BPP, MAX_DECOMPRESSION_BUFFER_SIZE)) == 0)
-        return LoadSpriteSheetByTemplateWithOffset(template, 0, offset);
+        return LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(template, 0, offset);
 
     void *buffer = malloc_and_decompress(template->images->data, NULL);
     myImage.data = buffer;
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ u32 LoadCompressedSpriteSheetByTemplate(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, s
     myTemplate.images = &myImage;
     myTemplate.tileTag = template->tileTag;
 
-    u32 ret = LoadSpriteSheetByTemplateWithOffset(&myTemplate, 0, offset);
+    u32 ret = LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(&myTemplate, 0, offset);
     Free(buffer);
     return ret;
 }
diff --git a/src/event_object_movement.c b/src/event_object_movement.c
index 28ba7fc83c..cc5d11e10a 100644
--- a/src/event_object_movement.c
+++ b/src/event_object_movement.c
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ static void SetSpriteDataForNormalStep(struct Sprite *, u8, u8);
 static void InitSpriteForFigure8Anim(struct Sprite *);
 static bool8 AnimateSpriteInFigure8(struct Sprite *);
 u8 GetDirectionToFace(s16 x1, s16 y1, s16 x2, s16 y2);
-static void FollowerSetGraphics(struct ObjectEvent *, u16, u8, bool8);
+static void FollowerSetGraphics(struct ObjectEvent *, u16, u8, bool8, bool8);
 static void ObjectEventSetGraphics(struct ObjectEvent *, const struct ObjectEventGraphicsInfo *);
 static void SpriteCB_VirtualObject(struct Sprite *);
 static void DoShadowFieldEffect(struct ObjectEvent *);
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ static const bool8 sMovementTypeHasRange[NUM_MOVEMENT_TYPES] = {
     [MOVEMENT_TYPE_COPY_PLAYER_CLOCKWISE_IN_GRASS] = TRUE,
 };
 
-const u8 gInitialMovementTypeFacingDirections[] = {
+const u8 gInitialMovementTypeFacingDirections[NUM_MOVEMENT_TYPES] = {
     [MOVEMENT_TYPE_NONE] = DIR_SOUTH,
     [MOVEMENT_TYPE_LOOK_AROUND] = DIR_SOUTH,
     [MOVEMENT_TYPE_WANDER_AROUND] = DIR_SOUTH,
@@ -461,6 +461,7 @@ const u8 gInitialMovementTypeFacingDirections[] = {
     [MOVEMENT_TYPE_WALK_SLOWLY_IN_PLACE_UP] = DIR_NORTH,
     [MOVEMENT_TYPE_WALK_SLOWLY_IN_PLACE_LEFT] = DIR_WEST,
     [MOVEMENT_TYPE_WALK_SLOWLY_IN_PLACE_RIGHT] = DIR_EAST,
+    [MOVEMENT_TYPE_FOLLOW_PLAYER] = DIR_SOUTH,
 };
 
 #include "data/object_events/object_event_graphics_info_pointers.h"
@@ -1999,6 +2000,14 @@ struct Pokemon *GetFirstLiveMon(void)
     u32 i;
     for (i = 0; i < PARTY_SIZE; i++)
     {
+        struct Pokemon *mon = &gPlayerParty[i];
+        if ((OW_MON_ALLOWED_SPECIES && GetMonData(mon, MON_DATA_SPECIES_OR_EGG) != VarGet(OW_MON_ALLOWED_SPECIES))
+            || (OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LVL && GetMonData(mon, MON_DATA_MET_LEVEL) != VarGet(OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LVL))
+            || (OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LOC && GetMonData(mon, MON_DATA_MET_LOCATION) != VarGet(OW_MON_ALLOWED_MET_LOC))
+        ) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
         if (gPlayerParty[i].hp > 0 && !(gPlayerParty[i].box.isEgg || gPlayerParty[i].box.isBadEgg))
             return &gPlayerParty[i];
     }
@@ -2121,14 +2130,14 @@ static u8 LoadDynamicFollowerPalette(u16 species, u8 form, bool32 shiny)
 }
 
 // Set graphics & sprite for a follower object event by species & shininess.
-static void FollowerSetGraphics(struct ObjectEvent *objEvent, u16 species, u8 form, bool8 shiny)
+static void FollowerSetGraphics(struct ObjectEvent *objEvent, u16 species, u8 form, bool8 shiny, bool8 doPalette)
 {
     const struct ObjectEventGraphicsInfo *graphicsInfo = SpeciesToGraphicsInfo(species, form);
     ObjectEventSetGraphics(objEvent, graphicsInfo);
     objEvent->graphicsId = (OBJ_EVENT_GFX_MON_BASE + species) & OBJ_EVENT_GFX_SPECIES_MASK;
     objEvent->graphicsId |= form << OBJ_EVENT_GFX_SPECIES_BITS;
     objEvent->shiny = shiny;
-    if (graphicsInfo->paletteTag == OBJ_EVENT_PAL_TAG_DYNAMIC) // Use palette from species palette table
+    if (graphicsInfo->paletteTag == OBJ_EVENT_PAL_TAG_DYNAMIC && doPalette) // Use palette from species palette table
     {
         struct Sprite *sprite = &gSprites[objEvent->spriteId];
         // Free palette if otherwise unused
@@ -2137,10 +2146,6 @@ static void FollowerSetGraphics(struct ObjectEvent *objEvent, u16 species, u8 fo
         sprite->inUse = TRUE;
         sprite->oam.paletteNum = LoadDynamicFollowerPalette(species, form, shiny);
     }
-    else if (gWeatherPtr->currWeather != WEATHER_FOG_HORIZONTAL) // don't want to weather blend in fog
-    {
-        UpdateSpritePaletteWithWeather(gSprites[objEvent->spriteId].oam.paletteNum, FALSE);
-    }
 }
 
 // Like FollowerSetGraphics, but does not recenter sprite on a metatile
@@ -2289,10 +2294,8 @@ void UpdateFollowingPokemon(void)
     // Follower appearance changed; move to player and set invisible
     if (species != OW_SPECIES(objEvent) || shiny != objEvent->shiny || form != OW_FORM(objEvent))
     {
-        MoveObjectEventToMapCoords(objEvent,
-                                   gObjectEvents[gPlayerAvatar.objectEventId].currentCoords.x,
-                                   gObjectEvents[gPlayerAvatar.objectEventId].currentCoords.y);
-        FollowerSetGraphics(objEvent, species, form, shiny);
+        MoveObjectEventToMapCoords(objEvent, gObjectEvents[gPlayerAvatar.objectEventId].currentCoords.x, gObjectEvents[gPlayerAvatar.objectEventId].currentCoords.y);
+        FollowerSetGraphics(objEvent, species, form, shiny, TRUE);
         objEvent->invisible = TRUE;
     }
     sprite->data[6] = 0; // set animation data
@@ -2658,6 +2661,7 @@ void UpdateLightSprite(struct Sprite *sprite)
         return;
     }
 
+    // Note: Don't set window registers during hardware fade!
     switch (sprite->sLightType)
     {
     default:
@@ -2703,7 +2707,7 @@ static void SpawnLightSprite(s16 x, s16 y, s16 camX, s16 camY, u32 lightType)
     }
     lightType = min(lightType, ARRAY_COUNT(gFieldEffectLightTemplates) - 1); // bounds checking
     template = gFieldEffectLightTemplates[lightType];
-    LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(template, 0);
+    LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(template, 0, 0);
     sprite = &gSprites[CreateSprite(template, 0, 0, 0)];
     if (lightType == 0 && (i = IndexOfSpritePaletteTag(template->paletteTag + 1)) < 16)
         sprite->oam.paletteNum = i;
@@ -5680,6 +5684,7 @@ bool8 MovementType_FollowPlayer_Moving(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, struct S
         objectEvent->movementActionId = MOVEMENT_ACTION_NONE;
         sprite->sActionFuncId = 0;
         objectEvent->singleMovementActive = FALSE;
+        objectEvent->facingDirectionLocked = FALSE;
         if (sprite->sTypeFuncId) // restore nonzero state
             sprite->sTypeFuncId = 1;
     }
@@ -5749,9 +5754,8 @@ bool8 FollowablePlayerMovement_Step(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, struct Spri
     if (objectEvent->invisible)
     {
         // Animate exiting pokeball
-        // Player is jumping, but follower is invisible
-        if (PlayerGetCopyableMovement() == COPY_MOVE_JUMP2)
-        {
+        // don't emerge if player is jumping or moving via script
+        if (PlayerGetCopyableMovement() == COPY_MOVE_JUMP2 || ArePlayerFieldControlsLocked()) {
             sprite->sTypeFuncId = 0; // return to shadowing state
             return FALSE;
         }
@@ -5771,60 +5775,35 @@ bool8 FollowablePlayerMovement_Step(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, struct Spri
 
     // Follow player
     direction = GetDirectionToFace(x, y, targetX, targetY);
+    // During a script, if player sidesteps or backsteps,
+    // mirror player's direction instead
+    if (ArePlayerFieldControlsLocked()
+        && gObjectEvents[gPlayerAvatar.objectEventId].facingDirection != gObjectEvents[gPlayerAvatar.objectEventId].movementDirection
+    ) {
+        direction = gObjectEvents[gPlayerAvatar.objectEventId].movementDirection;
+        objectEvent->facingDirectionLocked = TRUE;
+    }
+
     MoveCoords(direction, &x, &y);
     GetCollisionAtCoords(objectEvent, x, y, direction); // Sets directionOverwrite for stairs
     if (GetLedgeJumpDirection(x, y, direction) != DIR_NONE)
-    {
         // InitJumpRegular will set the proper speed
         ObjectEventSetSingleMovement(objectEvent, sprite, GetJump2MovementAction(direction));
-    }
-    else if (TestPlayerAvatarFlags(PLAYER_AVATAR_FLAG_DASH))
-    {
-        // Set follow speed according to player's speed
-        if (playerAction >= MOVEMENT_ACTION_RUN_DOWN_SLOW && playerAction <= MOVEMENT_ACTION_RUN_RIGHT_SLOW)
+    else if (playerAction >= MOVEMENT_ACTION_WALK_SLOW_DOWN && playerAction <= MOVEMENT_ACTION_WALK_SLOW_RIGHT) {
+        if (TestPlayerAvatarFlags(PLAYER_AVATAR_FLAG_DASH)) // on sideways stairs
             objectEvent->movementActionId = GetWalkNormalMovementAction(direction);
         else
-            objectEvent->movementActionId = GetWalkFastMovementAction(direction);
-    }
-    else if (PlayerGetCopyableMovement() == COPY_MOVE_JUMP2)
-    {
-        ObjectEventSetSingleMovement(objectEvent, sprite, GetWalkSlowMovementAction(direction));
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        if (playerAction >= MOVEMENT_ACTION_WALK_SLOW_DOWN && playerAction <= MOVEMENT_ACTION_WALK_SLOW_RIGHT)
-        {
             ObjectEventSetSingleMovement(objectEvent, sprite, GetWalkSlowMovementAction(direction));
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            objectEvent->movementActionId = GetWalkNormalMovementAction(direction);
-            if (OW_FOLLOWERS_BOBBING == TRUE)
-                sprite->y2 = -1;
-        }
-    }
-    sprite->sActionFuncId = 0;
-    if (GetLedgeJumpDirection(x, y, direction) != DIR_NONE)
-    {
-        // InitJumpRegular will set the proper speed
-        ObjectEventSetSingleMovement(objectEvent, sprite, GetJump2MovementAction(direction));
-    }
-    else if (TestPlayerAvatarFlags(PLAYER_AVATAR_FLAG_DASH))
-    {
-        // Set follow speed according to player's speed
-        ObjectEventSetSingleMovement(objectEvent, sprite, GetWalkFastMovementAction(direction));
-    }
-    else if (PlayerGetCopyableMovement() == COPY_MOVE_JUMP2)
-    {
-        // If *player* jumps, make step take twice as long
+    } else if (PlayerGetCopyableMovement() == COPY_MOVE_JUMP2) {
         ObjectEventSetSingleMovement(objectEvent, sprite, GetWalkSlowMovementAction(direction));
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        ObjectEventSetSingleMovement(objectEvent, sprite, GetWalkNormalMovementAction(direction));
+    } else if (gSprites[gPlayerAvatar.spriteId].data[4] == MOVE_SPEED_FAST_1) {
+        objectEvent->movementActionId = GetWalkFastMovementAction(direction);
+    } else {
+        objectEvent->movementActionId = GetWalkNormalMovementAction(direction);
         if (OW_FOLLOWERS_BOBBING == TRUE)
             sprite->y2 = -1;
     }
+    sprite->sActionFuncId = 0;
     objectEvent->singleMovementActive = TRUE;
     sprite->sTypeFuncId = 2;
     return TRUE;
@@ -6488,13 +6467,17 @@ static bool8 IsMetatileDirectionallyImpassable(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent,
     return FALSE;
 }
 
-static bool8 DoesObjectCollideWithObjectAt(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, s16 x, s16 y)
-{
+u32 GetObjectObjectCollidesWith(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, s16 x, s16 y, bool32 addCoords) {
     u8 i;
     struct ObjectEvent *curObject;
 
     if (objectEvent->localId == OBJ_EVENT_ID_FOLLOWER)
-        return FALSE; // follower cannot collide with other objects, but they can collide with it
+        return OBJECT_EVENTS_COUNT; // follower cannot collide with other objects, but they can collide with it
+
+    if (addCoords) {
+        x += objectEvent->currentCoords.x;
+        y += objectEvent->currentCoords.y;
+    }
 
     for (i = 0; i < OBJECT_EVENTS_COUNT; i++)
     {
@@ -6505,11 +6488,16 @@ static bool8 DoesObjectCollideWithObjectAt(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, s16
             if ((curObject->currentCoords.x == x && curObject->currentCoords.y == y) || (curObject->previousCoords.x == x && curObject->previousCoords.y == y))
             {
                 if (AreElevationsCompatible(objectEvent->currentElevation, curObject->currentElevation))
-                    return TRUE;
+                    return i;
             }
         }
     }
-    return FALSE;
+    return OBJECT_EVENTS_COUNT;
+}
+
+static bool8 DoesObjectCollideWithObjectAt(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, s16 x, s16 y)
+{
+    return (GetObjectObjectCollidesWith(objectEvent, x, y, FALSE) < OBJECT_EVENTS_COUNT);
 }
 
 bool8 IsBerryTreeSparkling(u8 localId, u8 mapNum, u8 mapGroup)
@@ -6661,6 +6649,19 @@ static u8 TryUpdateMovementActionOnStairs(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, u8 mo
     }
 }
 
+static const u8 sActionIdToCopyableMovement[] = {
+    [MOVEMENT_ACTION_FACE_DOWN ... MOVEMENT_ACTION_FACE_RIGHT] = COPY_MOVE_FACE,
+    [MOVEMENT_ACTION_WALK_SLOW_DOWN ... MOVEMENT_ACTION_WALK_NORMAL_RIGHT] = COPY_MOVE_WALK,
+    [MOVEMENT_ACTION_JUMP_2_DOWN ... MOVEMENT_ACTION_JUMP_2_RIGHT] = COPY_MOVE_JUMP2,
+    [MOVEMENT_ACTION_WALK_FAST_DOWN ... MOVEMENT_ACTION_WALK_FAST_RIGHT] = COPY_MOVE_WALK,
+    [MOVEMENT_ACTION_RIDE_WATER_CURRENT_DOWN ... MOVEMENT_ACTION_PLAYER_RUN_RIGHT] = COPY_MOVE_WALK,
+    // Not a typo; follower needs to take an action with a duration == JUMP's,
+    // and JUMP2 here will lead to WALK_SLOW later
+    [MOVEMENT_ACTION_JUMP_DOWN ... MOVEMENT_ACTION_JUMP_RIGHT] = COPY_MOVE_JUMP2,
+
+    [MOVEMENT_ACTION_NONE] = COPY_MOVE_NONE,
+};
+
 bool8 ObjectEventSetHeldMovement(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, u8 movementActionId)
 {
     if (ObjectEventIsMovementOverridden(objectEvent))
@@ -6673,6 +6674,16 @@ bool8 ObjectEventSetHeldMovement(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, u8 movementAct
     objectEvent->heldMovementActive = TRUE;
     objectEvent->heldMovementFinished = FALSE;
     gSprites[objectEvent->spriteId].sActionFuncId = 0;
+
+    // When player is moved via script, set copyable movement
+    // for any followers via a lookup table
+    if (ArePlayerFieldControlsLocked() &&
+        objectEvent->isPlayer &&
+        FlagGet(FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT))
+    {
+        objectEvent->playerCopyableMovement = sActionIdToCopyableMovement[objectEvent->movementActionId];
+    }
+
     return FALSE;
 }
 
@@ -6696,6 +6707,15 @@ void ObjectEventClearHeldMovement(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent)
     objectEvent->heldMovementFinished = FALSE;
     gSprites[objectEvent->spriteId].sTypeFuncId = 0;
     gSprites[objectEvent->spriteId].sActionFuncId = 0;
+
+    // When player is moved via script, set copyable movement
+    // for any followers via a lookup table
+    if (ArePlayerFieldControlsLocked() &&
+        objectEvent->isPlayer &&
+        FlagGet(FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT))
+    {
+        objectEvent->playerCopyableMovement = sActionIdToCopyableMovement[objectEvent->movementActionId];
+    }
 }
 
 u8 ObjectEventCheckHeldMovementStatus(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent)
@@ -7683,7 +7703,7 @@ bool8 MovementAction_ExitPokeball_Step1(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, struct
     // Set graphics, palette, and affine animation
     else if (sprite->sDuration == animStepFrame)
     {
-        FollowerSetGraphics(objectEvent, OW_SPECIES(objectEvent), OW_FORM(objectEvent), objectEvent->shiny);
+        FollowerSetGraphics(objectEvent, OW_SPECIES(objectEvent), OW_FORM(objectEvent), objectEvent->shiny, FALSE);
         LoadFillColorPalette(RGB_WHITE, OBJ_EVENT_PAL_TAG_WHITE, sprite);
         // Initialize affine animation
         sprite->affineAnims = sAffineAnims_PokeballFollower;
@@ -7700,7 +7720,7 @@ bool8 MovementAction_ExitPokeball_Step1(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, struct
         sprite->affineAnimEnded = TRUE;
         FreeSpriteOamMatrix(sprite);
         sprite->oam.affineMode = ST_OAM_AFFINE_OFF;
-        FollowerSetGraphics(objectEvent, OW_SPECIES(objectEvent), OW_FORM(objectEvent), objectEvent->shiny);
+        FollowerSetGraphics(objectEvent, OW_SPECIES(objectEvent), OW_FORM(objectEvent), objectEvent->shiny, TRUE);
     }
     return FALSE;
 }
@@ -7756,7 +7776,7 @@ bool8 MovementAction_EnterPokeball_Step1(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, struct
 
 bool8 MovementAction_EnterPokeball_Step2(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, struct Sprite *sprite)
 {
-    FollowerSetGraphics(objectEvent, OW_SPECIES(objectEvent), OW_FORM(objectEvent), objectEvent->shiny);
+    FollowerSetGraphics(objectEvent, OW_SPECIES(objectEvent), OW_FORM(objectEvent), objectEvent->shiny, FALSE);
     objectEvent->invisible = TRUE;
     sprite->sTypeFuncId = 0;
     sprite->sSpeedFlip = 0;
diff --git a/src/field_effect.c b/src/field_effect.c
index 0d52aadb1c..dc3a87b955 100644
--- a/src/field_effect.c
+++ b/src/field_effect.c
@@ -791,9 +791,11 @@ void FieldEffectScript_LoadTiles(u8 **script)
 void FieldEffectScript_LoadFadedPalette(u8 **script)
 {
     struct SpritePalette *palette = (struct SpritePalette *)FieldEffectScript_ReadWord(script);
-    LoadSpritePalette(palette);
-    UpdateSpritePaletteWithWeather(IndexOfSpritePaletteTag(palette->tag), TRUE);
+    u32 paletteSlot = LoadSpritePalette(palette);
     (*script) += 4;
+    SetPaletteColorMapType(paletteSlot + 16, T1_READ_8(*script));
+    UpdateSpritePaletteWithWeather(paletteSlot, TRUE);
+    (*script)++;
 }
 
 void FieldEffectScript_LoadPalette(u8 **script)
@@ -849,6 +851,7 @@ void FieldEffectFreePaletteIfUnused(u8 paletteNum)
         for (i = 0; i < MAX_SPRITES; i++)
             if (gSprites[i].inUse && gSprites[i].oam.paletteNum == paletteNum)
                 return;
+        ResetPaletteColorMapType(paletteNum + 16);
         FreeSpritePaletteByTag(tag);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/field_effect_helpers.c b/src/field_effect_helpers.c
index a8dfb3d2e7..8bbc16b905 100755
--- a/src/field_effect_helpers.c
+++ b/src/field_effect_helpers.c
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ u32 FldEff_Shadow(void);
 void SetUpShadow(struct ObjectEvent *objectEvent, struct Sprite *sprite)
 {
     gFieldEffectArguments[0] = objectEvent->localId;
-    gFieldEffectArguments[1] = gSaveBlock1Ptr->location.mapNum;
-    gFieldEffectArguments[2] = gSaveBlock1Ptr->location.mapGroup;
+    gFieldEffectArguments[1] = objectEvent->mapNum;
+    gFieldEffectArguments[2] = objectEvent->mapGroup;
     FldEff_Shadow();
 }
 
@@ -339,19 +339,23 @@ u32 FldEff_Shadow(void)
     for (i = MAX_SPRITES - 1; i > -1; i--) // Search backwards, because of CreateSpriteAtEnd
     {
         // Return early if a shadow sprite already exists
-        if (gSprites[i].data[0] == gFieldEffectArguments[0] && gSprites[i].callback == UpdateShadowFieldEffect)
+        if (gSprites[i].callback == UpdateShadowFieldEffect &&
+            gSprites[i].sLocalId == gFieldEffectArguments[0] &&
+            gSprites[i].sMapNum == gFieldEffectArguments[1] &&
+            gSprites[i].sMapGroup == gFieldEffectArguments[2]
+        )
             return 0;
     }
     objectEventId = GetObjectEventIdByLocalIdAndMap(gFieldEffectArguments[0], gFieldEffectArguments[1], gFieldEffectArguments[2]);
     graphicsInfo = GetObjectEventGraphicsInfo(gObjectEvents[objectEventId].graphicsId);
     if (graphicsInfo->shadowSize == SHADOW_SIZE_NONE) // don't create a shadow at all
         return 0;
-    LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(gFieldEffectObjectTemplatePointers[sShadowEffectTemplateIds[graphicsInfo->shadowSize]], 0);
+        LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(gFieldEffectObjectTemplatePointers[sShadowEffectTemplateIds[graphicsInfo->shadowSize]], 0, 0);
     spriteId = CreateSpriteAtEnd(gFieldEffectObjectTemplatePointers[sShadowEffectTemplateIds[graphicsInfo->shadowSize]], 0, 0, OW_OBJECT_SUBPRIORITY + 1);
     if (spriteId != MAX_SPRITES)
     {
         // SetGpuReg(REG_OFFSET_BLDALPHA, BLDALPHA_BLEND(8, 12));
-        gSprites[spriteId].oam.objMode = 1; // BLEND
+        gSprites[spriteId].oam.objMode = ST_OAM_OBJ_BLEND;
         gSprites[spriteId].coordOffsetEnabled = TRUE;
         gSprites[spriteId].sLocalId = gFieldEffectArguments[0];
         gSprites[spriteId].sMapNum = gFieldEffectArguments[1];
diff --git a/src/field_weather.c b/src/field_weather.c
index 73299a9a55..0326e6528e 100644
--- a/src/field_weather.c
+++ b/src/field_weather.c
@@ -23,13 +23,6 @@
 
 #define DROUGHT_COLOR_INDEX(color) ((((color) >> 1) & 0xF) | (((color) >> 2) & 0xF0) | (((color) >> 3) & 0xF00))
 
-enum
-{
-    COLOR_MAP_NONE,
-    COLOR_MAP_DARK_CONTRAST,
-    COLOR_MAP_CONTRAST,
-};
-
 struct RGBColor
 {
     u16 r:5;
@@ -799,10 +792,7 @@ void FadeScreen(u8 mode, s8 delay)
         else if (MapHasNaturalLight(gMapHeader.mapType))
         {
             UpdateAltBgPalettes(PALETTES_BG);
-            BeginTimeOfDayPaletteFade(PALETTES_ALL, delay, 16, 0,
-                                      (struct BlendSettings *)&gTimeOfDayBlend[currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay],
-                                      (struct BlendSettings *)&gTimeOfDayBlend[currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay],
-                                      currentTimeBlend.weight, fadeColor);
+            BeginTimeOfDayPaletteFade(PALETTES_ALL, delay, 16, 0, &currentTimeBlend.bld0, &currentTimeBlend.bld1, currentTimeBlend.weight, fadeColor);
         }
         else
         {
@@ -817,6 +807,36 @@ void FadeScreen(u8 mode, s8 delay)
     }
 }
 
+// fades screen using BLDY
+// Note: This enables blending in all windows;
+// These bits may need to be disabled later
+// (i.e if blending lighting effects using WINOBJ)
+u16 FadeScreenHardware(u8 mode, s8 delay) {
+    u16 bldCnt = GetGpuReg(REG_OFFSET_BLDCNT) & BLDCNT_TGT2_ALL;
+    bldCnt |= BLDCNT_TGT1_ALL;
+    // enable blend in all windows
+    SetGpuRegBits(REG_OFFSET_WININ, WININ_WIN0_CLR | WININ_WIN1_CLR);
+    SetGpuRegBits(REG_OFFSET_WINOUT, WINOUT_WIN01_CLR);
+
+    switch (mode)
+    {
+    case FADE_FROM_BLACK:
+        BeginHardwarePaletteFade(bldCnt | BLDCNT_EFFECT_DARKEN, delay, 16, 0, TRUE);
+        break;
+    case FADE_TO_BLACK:
+        BeginHardwarePaletteFade(bldCnt | BLDCNT_EFFECT_DARKEN, delay, 0, 16, FALSE);
+        break;
+    case FADE_FROM_WHITE:
+        BeginHardwarePaletteFade(bldCnt | BLDCNT_EFFECT_LIGHTEN, delay, 16, 0, TRUE);
+        break;
+    case FADE_TO_WHITE:
+        BeginHardwarePaletteFade(bldCnt | BLDCNT_EFFECT_LIGHTEN, delay, 0, 16, FALSE);
+        break;
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
 bool8 IsWeatherNotFadingIn(void)
 {
     return (gWeatherPtr->palProcessingState != WEATHER_PAL_STATE_SCREEN_FADING_IN);
@@ -986,7 +1006,10 @@ void Weather_SetBlendCoeffs(u8 eva, u8 evb)
     gWeatherPtr->currBlendEVB = evb;
     gWeatherPtr->targetBlendEVA = eva;
     gWeatherPtr->targetBlendEVB = evb;
-    SetGpuReg(REG_OFFSET_BLDALPHA, BLDALPHA_BLEND(eva, evb));
+
+    // don't update BLDALPHA if a hardware fade is on-screen
+    if ((GetGpuReg(REG_OFFSET_BLDCNT) & BLDCNT_EFFECT_EFF_MASK) < BLDCNT_EFFECT_LIGHTEN)
+        SetGpuReg(REG_OFFSET_BLDALPHA, BLDALPHA_BLEND(eva, evb));
 }
 
 void Weather_SetTargetBlendCoeffs(u8 eva, u8 evb, int delay)
@@ -1136,11 +1159,27 @@ void SetWeatherPalStateIdle(void)
     gWeatherPtr->palProcessingState = WEATHER_PAL_STATE_IDLE;
 }
 
+const u8* SetPaletteColorMapType(u8 paletteIndex, u8 colorMapType) {
+    if (sPaletteColorMapTypes[paletteIndex] == colorMapType)
+        return sPaletteColorMapTypes;
+    // setup field effect color map
+    if (sPaletteColorMapTypes != sFieldEffectPaletteColorMapTypes) {
+        CpuFastCopy(sBasePaletteColorMapTypes, sFieldEffectPaletteColorMapTypes, 32);
+        sPaletteColorMapTypes = sFieldEffectPaletteColorMapTypes;
+    }
+    sFieldEffectPaletteColorMapTypes[paletteIndex] = colorMapType;
+    return sPaletteColorMapTypes;
+}
+
 void PreservePaletteInWeather(u8 preservedPalIndex)
 {
-    CpuCopy16(sBasePaletteColorMapTypes, sFieldEffectPaletteColorMapTypes, 32);
-    sFieldEffectPaletteColorMapTypes[preservedPalIndex] = COLOR_MAP_NONE;
-    sPaletteColorMapTypes = sFieldEffectPaletteColorMapTypes;
+    SetPaletteColorMapType(preservedPalIndex, COLOR_MAP_NONE);
+}
+
+void ResetPaletteColorMapType(u8 paletteIndex) {
+    if (sPaletteColorMapTypes == sBasePaletteColorMapTypes)
+        return;
+    sFieldEffectPaletteColorMapTypes[paletteIndex] = sBasePaletteColorMapTypes[paletteIndex];
 }
 
 void ResetPreservedPalettesInWeather(void)
diff --git a/src/fieldmap.c b/src/fieldmap.c
index 83cc406c51..2cd8f0db85 100644
--- a/src/fieldmap.c
+++ b/src/fieldmap.c
@@ -888,7 +888,7 @@ static void LoadTilesetPalette(struct Tileset const *tileset, u16 destOffset, u1
         {
             // LoadPalette(&black, destOffset, 2);
             if (skipFaded)
-                CpuFastCopy(tileset->palettes, &gPlttBufferUnfaded[destOffset], size);
+                CpuFastCopy(tileset->palettes, &gPlttBufferUnfaded[destOffset], size); // always word-aligned
             else
                 LoadPaletteFast(tileset->palettes, destOffset, size);
             gPlttBufferFaded[destOffset] = gPlttBufferUnfaded[destOffset] = RGB_BLACK; // why does it have to be black?
@@ -898,11 +898,11 @@ static void LoadTilesetPalette(struct Tileset const *tileset, u16 destOffset, u1
         }
         else if (tileset->isSecondary == TRUE)
         {
-            // (void*) is to silence 'source potentially unaligned' error
-            // All 'gTilesetPalettes_' arrays should have ALIGNED(4) in them
-            if (skipFaded)
-                CpuFastCopy((void*)tileset->palettes[NUM_PALS_IN_PRIMARY], &gPlttBufferUnfaded[destOffset], size);
-            else
+            // All 'gTilesetPalettes_' arrays should have ALIGNED(4) in them,
+            // but we use SmartCopy here just in case they don't
+            if (skipFaded) {
+                CpuSmartCopy16(tileset->palettes[NUM_PALS_IN_PRIMARY], &gPlttBufferUnfaded[destOffset], size);
+            } else
                 LoadPaletteFast(tileset->palettes[NUM_PALS_IN_PRIMARY], destOffset, size);
             low = NUM_PALS_IN_PRIMARY;
             high = NUM_PALS_TOTAL;
diff --git a/src/overworld.c b/src/overworld.c
index ecd285e8da..88fa06b95f 100644
--- a/src/overworld.c
+++ b/src/overworld.c
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ COMMON_DATA u8 gFieldLinkPlayerCount = 0;
 
 u8 gTimeOfDay;
 struct TimeBlendSettings currentTimeBlend;
-u16 gTimeUpdateCounter; // playTimeVBlanks will eventually overflow, so this is used to update TOD
+s16 gTimeUpdateCounter; // playTimeVBlanks will eventually overflow, so this is used to update TOD
 
 // EWRAM vars
 EWRAM_DATA static u8 sObjectEventLoadFlag = 0;
@@ -212,6 +212,7 @@ EWRAM_DATA static u16 sLastMapSectionId = 0;
 EWRAM_DATA static struct InitialPlayerAvatarState sInitialPlayerAvatarState = {0};
 EWRAM_DATA static u16 sAmbientCrySpecies = 0;
 EWRAM_DATA static bool8 sIsAmbientCryWaterMon = FALSE;
+EWRAM_DATA static u8 sHoursOverride = 0; // used to override apparent time of day hours
 EWRAM_DATA struct LinkPlayerObjectEvent gLinkPlayerObjectEvents[4] = {0};
 EWRAM_DATA bool8 gExitStairsMovementDisabled = FALSE;
 
@@ -910,6 +911,8 @@ static void LoadMapFromWarp(bool32 a1)
     TrySetMapSaveWarpStatus();
     ClearTempFieldEventData();
     ResetDexNavSearch();
+    // reset hours override on every warp
+    sHoursOverride = 0; 
     ResetCyclingRoadChallengeData();
     RestartWildEncounterImmunitySteps();
 #if FREE_MATCH_CALL == FALSE
@@ -1557,37 +1560,37 @@ void UpdateTimeOfDay(void)
 {
     s32 hours, minutes;
     RtcCalcLocalTime();
-    hours = gLocalTime.hours;
-    minutes = gLocalTime.minutes;
+    hours = sHoursOverride ? sHoursOverride : gLocalTime.hours;
+    minutes = sHoursOverride ? 0 : gLocalTime.minutes;
 
     if (IsBetweenHours(hours, MORNING_HOUR_BEGIN, MORNING_HOUR_MIDDLE)) // night->morning
     {
-        currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay = TIME_NIGHT;
-        currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay = TIME_MORNING;
+        currentTimeBlend.bld0 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_NIGHT];
+        currentTimeBlend.bld1 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_MORNING];
         currentTimeBlend.weight = TIME_BLEND_WEIGHT(MORNING_HOUR_BEGIN, MORNING_HOUR_MIDDLE);
         currentTimeBlend.altWeight = (DEFAULT_WEIGHT - currentTimeBlend.weight) / 2;
         gTimeOfDay = TIME_MORNING;
     }
     else if (IsBetweenHours(hours, MORNING_HOUR_MIDDLE, MORNING_HOUR_END)) // morning->day
     {
-        currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay = TIME_MORNING;
-        currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay = TIME_DAY;
+        currentTimeBlend.bld0 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_MORNING];
+        currentTimeBlend.bld1 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_DAY];
         currentTimeBlend.weight = TIME_BLEND_WEIGHT(MORNING_HOUR_MIDDLE, MORNING_HOUR_END);
         currentTimeBlend.altWeight = (DEFAULT_WEIGHT - currentTimeBlend.weight) / 2 + (DEFAULT_WEIGHT / 2);
         gTimeOfDay = TIME_MORNING;
     }
     else if (IsBetweenHours(hours, EVENING_HOUR_BEGIN, EVENING_HOUR_END)) // evening
     {
-        currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay = TIME_DAY;
-        currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay = TIME_EVENING;
+        currentTimeBlend.bld0 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_DAY];
+        currentTimeBlend.bld1 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_EVENING];
         currentTimeBlend.weight = TIME_BLEND_WEIGHT(EVENING_HOUR_BEGIN, EVENING_HOUR_END);
         currentTimeBlend.altWeight = currentTimeBlend.weight / 2 + (DEFAULT_WEIGHT / 2);
         gTimeOfDay = TIME_EVENING;
     }
     else if (IsBetweenHours(hours, NIGHT_HOUR_BEGIN, NIGHT_HOUR_BEGIN + 1)) // evening->night
     {
-        currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay = TIME_EVENING;
-        currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay = TIME_NIGHT;
+        currentTimeBlend.bld0 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_EVENING];
+        currentTimeBlend.bld1 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_NIGHT];
         currentTimeBlend.weight = TIME_BLEND_WEIGHT(NIGHT_HOUR_BEGIN, NIGHT_HOUR_BEGIN + 1);
         currentTimeBlend.altWeight = currentTimeBlend.weight / 2;
         gTimeOfDay = TIME_NIGHT;
@@ -1596,12 +1599,14 @@ void UpdateTimeOfDay(void)
     {
         currentTimeBlend.weight = DEFAULT_WEIGHT;
         currentTimeBlend.altWeight = 0;
-        gTimeOfDay = currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay = currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay = TIME_NIGHT;
+        currentTimeBlend.bld0 = currentTimeBlend.bld1 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_NIGHT];
+        gTimeOfDay = TIME_NIGHT;
     }
     else // day
     {
         currentTimeBlend.weight = currentTimeBlend.altWeight = DEFAULT_WEIGHT;
-        gTimeOfDay = currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay = currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay = TIME_DAY;
+        currentTimeBlend.bld0 = currentTimeBlend.bld1 = gTimeOfDayBlend[TIME_DAY];
+        gTimeOfDay = TIME_DAY;
     }
 }
 
@@ -1658,10 +1663,10 @@ void UpdatePalettesWithTime(u32 palettes)
                 palettes &= ~(mask);
         }
 
-    palettes &= PALETTES_MAP | PALETTES_OBJECTS; // Don't blend UI pals
-    if (!palettes)
-        return;
-    TimeMixPalettes(palettes, gPlttBufferUnfaded, gPlttBufferFaded, (struct BlendSettings *)&gTimeOfDayBlend[currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay], (struct BlendSettings *)&gTimeOfDayBlend[currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay], currentTimeBlend.weight);
+        palettes &= PALETTES_MAP | PALETTES_OBJECTS; // Don't blend UI pals
+        if (!palettes)
+            return;
+        TimeMixPalettes(palettes, gPlttBufferUnfaded, gPlttBufferFaded, &currentTimeBlend.bld0, &currentTimeBlend.bld1, currentTimeBlend.weight);
     }
 }
 
@@ -1671,8 +1676,7 @@ u8 UpdateSpritePaletteWithTime(u8 paletteNum)
     {
         if (IS_BLEND_IMMUNE_TAG(GetSpritePaletteTagByPaletteNum(paletteNum)))
             return paletteNum;
-        TimeMixPalettes(1, &gPlttBufferUnfaded[OBJ_PLTT_ID(paletteNum)], &gPlttBufferFaded[OBJ_PLTT_ID(paletteNum)], (struct BlendSettings *)&gTimeOfDayBlend[currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay], (struct BlendSettings *)&gTimeOfDayBlend[currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay], currentTimeBlend.weight
-        );
+        TimeMixPalettes(1, &gPlttBufferUnfaded[OBJ_PLTT_ID(paletteNum)], &gPlttBufferFaded[OBJ_PLTT_ID(paletteNum)], &currentTimeBlend.bld0, &currentTimeBlend.bld1, currentTimeBlend.weight);
     }
     return paletteNum;
 }
@@ -1689,20 +1693,17 @@ static void OverworldBasic(void)
     UpdateTilesetAnimations();
     DoScheduledBgTilemapCopiesToVram();
     // Every minute if no palette fade is active, update TOD blending as needed
-    if (!gPaletteFade.active && ++gTimeUpdateCounter >= (SECONDS_PER_MINUTE * 60 / FakeRtc_GetSecondsRatio()))
-    {
-        struct TimeBlendSettings cachedBlend = {
-            .initialTimeOfDay = currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay,
-            .finalTimeOfDay = currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay,
-            .weight = currentTimeBlend.weight,
-        };
-        gTimeUpdateCounter = 0;
+    if (!gPaletteFade.active && --gTimeUpdateCounter <= 0) {
+        struct TimeBlendSettings cachedBlend = currentTimeBlend;
+        u32 *bld0 = (u32*)&cachedBlend;
+        u32 *bld1 = (u32*)&currentTimeBlend;
+        gTimeUpdateCounter = (SECONDS_PER_MINUTE * 60 / FakeRtc_GetSecondsRatio());
         UpdateTimeOfDay();
         FormChangeTimeUpdate();
-        if (cachedBlend.initialTimeOfDay != currentTimeBlend.initialTimeOfDay
-         || cachedBlend.finalTimeOfDay != currentTimeBlend.finalTimeOfDay
-         || cachedBlend.weight != currentTimeBlend.weight)
-        {
+        if (bld0[0] != bld1[0]
+            || bld0[1] != bld1[1]
+            || bld0[2] != bld1[2]
+        ) {
            UpdateAltBgPalettes(PALETTES_BG);
            UpdatePalettesWithTime(PALETTES_ALL);
         }
@@ -3679,3 +3680,15 @@ void ScriptHideItemDescription(struct ScriptContext *ctx)
 #endif // OW_SHOW_ITEM_DESCRIPTIONS
 
 
+// returns old sHoursOverride
+u16 SetTimeOfDay(u16 hours) {
+    u16 oldHours = sHoursOverride;
+    sHoursOverride = hours;
+    gTimeUpdateCounter = 0;
+    return oldHours;
+}
+
+bool8 ScrFunc_settimeofday(struct ScriptContext *ctx) {
+    SetTimeOfDay(ScriptReadByte(ctx));
+    return FALSE;
+}
diff --git a/src/palette.c b/src/palette.c
index 890fdfdb6a..f079b0d3d5 100644
--- a/src/palette.c
+++ b/src/palette.c
@@ -714,7 +714,8 @@ static u32 UpdateHardwarePaletteFade(void)
     {
         if (gPaletteFade.shouldResetBlendRegisters)
         {
-            gPaletteFade_blendCnt = 0;
+            // clear TGT1
+            gPaletteFade_blendCnt &= ~0xFF;
             gPaletteFade.y = 0;
         }
         gPaletteFade.shouldResetBlendRegisters = FALSE;
@@ -725,10 +726,43 @@ static u32 UpdateHardwarePaletteFade(void)
     return gPaletteFade.active ? PALETTE_FADE_STATUS_ACTIVE : PALETTE_FADE_STATUS_DONE;
 }
 
+// Only called for hardware fades
 static void UpdateBlendRegisters(void)
 {
     SetGpuReg(REG_OFFSET_BLDCNT, (u16)gPaletteFade_blendCnt);
     SetGpuReg(REG_OFFSET_BLDY, gPaletteFade.y);
+    // If fade-out, also adjust BLDALPHA and DISPCNT
+    if (!gPaletteFade.yDec /*&& gPaletteFade.mode == HARDWARE_FADE*/) {
+        u16 bldAlpha = GetGpuReg(REG_OFFSET_BLDALPHA);
+        u8 tgt1 = BLDALPHA_TGT1(bldAlpha);
+        u8 tgt2 = BLDALPHA_TGT2(bldAlpha);
+        u8 bldFade;
+
+        switch (gPaletteFade_blendCnt & BLDCNT_EFFECT_EFF_MASK)
+        {
+        // FADE_TO_BLACK
+        case BLDCNT_EFFECT_DARKEN:
+            bldFade = BLDALPHA_TGT1(max(0, 16 - gPaletteFade.y));
+            SetGpuReg(
+                REG_OFFSET_BLDALPHA,
+                BLDALPHA_BLEND(min(tgt1, bldFade), min(tgt2, bldFade))
+            );
+            break;
+        // FADE_TO_WHITE
+        case BLDCNT_EFFECT_LIGHTEN:
+            SetGpuReg(
+                REG_OFFSET_BLDALPHA,
+                BLDALPHA_BLEND(min(++tgt1, 31), min(++tgt2, 31))
+            );
+            // cause display to show white when finished
+            // (otherwise blend-mode sprites will still be visible)
+            if (gPaletteFade.hardwareFadeFinishing && gPaletteFade.y >= 16)
+                SetGpuRegBits(REG_OFFSET_DISPCNT, DISPCNT_FORCED_BLANK);
+            break;
+        }
+    } else
+        ClearGpuRegBits(REG_OFFSET_DISPCNT, DISPCNT_FORCED_BLANK);
+
     if (gPaletteFade.hardwareFadeFinishing)
     {
         gPaletteFade.hardwareFadeFinishing = FALSE;
diff --git a/src/scrcmd.c b/src/scrcmd.c
index cd7ff72b53..499792cb70 100644
--- a/src/scrcmd.c
+++ b/src/scrcmd.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include "field_tasks.h"
 #include "field_weather.h"
 #include "fieldmap.h"
+#include "gpu_regs.h"
 #include "item.h"
 #include "lilycove_lady.h"
 #include "main.h"
@@ -836,27 +837,19 @@ bool8 ScrCmd_fadescreenswapbuffers(struct ScriptContext *ctx)
 
     switch (mode)
     {
-    case FADE_TO_BLACK:
-    case FADE_TO_WHITE:
-    default:
-        if (sPalBuffer == NULL)
-        {
-            sPalBuffer = Alloc(PLTT_SIZE);
-            CpuCopy32(gPlttBufferUnfaded, sPalBuffer, PLTT_SIZE);
-            FadeScreen(mode, 0);
-        }
-        break;
     case FADE_FROM_BLACK:
     case FADE_FROM_WHITE:
-        if (sPalBuffer != NULL)
-        {
-            CpuCopy32(sPalBuffer, gPlttBufferUnfaded, PLTT_SIZE);
-            FadeScreen(mode, 0);
-            FREE_AND_SET_NULL(sPalBuffer);
-        }
+        // Restore last weather blend before fading in,
+        // since BLDALPHA was modified by fade-out
+        SetGpuReg(
+            REG_OFFSET_BLDALPHA,
+            BLDALPHA_BLEND(gWeatherPtr->currBlendEVA, gWeatherPtr->currBlendEVB)
+        );
         break;
     }
 
+    FadeScreenHardware(mode, 0);
+
     if (nowait)
         return FALSE;
     SetupNativeScript(ctx, IsPaletteNotActive);
@@ -1265,6 +1258,20 @@ bool8 ScrCmd_fadeinbgm(struct ScriptContext *ctx)
     return FALSE;
 }
 
+struct ObjectEvent * ScriptHideFollower(void) {
+    struct ObjectEvent *obj = GetFollowerObject();
+
+    if (obj == NULL || obj->invisible)
+        return NULL;
+
+    ClearObjectEventMovement(obj, &gSprites[obj->spriteId]);
+    gSprites[obj->spriteId].animCmdIndex = 0; // Reset start frame of animation
+    // Note: ScriptMovement_ returns TRUE on error
+    if (ScriptMovement_StartObjectMovementScript(obj->localId, obj->mapGroup, obj->mapNum, EnterPokeballMovement))
+        return NULL;
+    return obj;
+}
+
 bool8 ScrCmd_applymovement(struct ScriptContext *ctx)
 {
     u16 localId = VarGet(ScriptReadHalfword(ctx));
@@ -1283,17 +1290,11 @@ bool8 ScrCmd_applymovement(struct ScriptContext *ctx)
     gObjectEvents[GetObjectEventIdByLocalId(localId)].directionOverwrite = DIR_NONE;
     ScriptMovement_StartObjectMovementScript(localId, gSaveBlock1Ptr->location.mapNum, gSaveBlock1Ptr->location.mapGroup, movementScript);
     sMovingNpcId = localId;
-    objEvent = GetFollowerObject();
-    // Force follower into pokeball
-    if (localId != OBJ_EVENT_ID_FOLLOWER
-        && !FlagGet(FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT)
-        && (movementScript < Common_Movement_FollowerSafeStart || movementScript > Common_Movement_FollowerSafeEnd)
-        && (objEvent = GetFollowerObject())
-        && !objEvent->invisible)
+    if (localId != OBJ_EVENT_ID_FOLLOWER &&
+        !FlagGet(FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT)
+        && (movementScript < Common_Movement_FollowerSafeStart || movementScript > Common_Movement_FollowerSafeEnd))
     {
-        ClearObjectEventMovement(objEvent, &gSprites[objEvent->spriteId]);
-        gSprites[objEvent->spriteId].animCmdIndex = 0; // Reset start frame of animation
-        ScriptMovement_StartObjectMovementScript(OBJ_EVENT_ID_FOLLOWER, gSaveBlock1Ptr->location.mapNum, gSaveBlock1Ptr->location.mapGroup, EnterPokeballMovement);
+        ScriptHideFollower();
     }
     return FALSE;
 }
@@ -1555,8 +1556,11 @@ bool8 ScrCmd_lockall(struct ScriptContext *ctx)
     }
     else
     {
+        struct ObjectEvent *followerObj = GetFollowerObject();
         FreezeObjects_WaitForPlayer();
         SetupNativeScript(ctx, IsFreezePlayerFinished);
+        if (FlagGet(FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT) && followerObj) // Unfreeze follower object (conditionally)
+            UnfreezeObjectEvent(followerObj);
         return TRUE;
     }
 }
@@ -3114,3 +3118,23 @@ void Script_EndTrainerCanSeeIf(struct ScriptContext *ctx)
     if (ctx->breakOnTrainerBattle && sScriptConditionTable[condition][ctx->comparisonResult] == 1)
         StopScript(ctx);
 }
+
+bool8 ScrFunc_hidefollower(struct ScriptContext *ctx) {
+    bool16 wait = VarGet(ScriptReadHalfword(ctx));
+    struct ObjectEvent *obj;
+
+    if ((obj = ScriptHideFollower()) != NULL && wait) {
+        sMovingNpcId = obj->localId;
+        sMovingNpcMapGroup = obj->mapGroup;
+        sMovingNpcMapNum = obj->mapNum;
+        SetupNativeScript(ctx, WaitForMovementFinish);
+    }
+
+    // Just in case, prevent `applymovement`
+    // from hiding the follower again
+    if (obj)
+        FlagSet(FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT);
+
+    // execute next script command with no delay
+    return TRUE;
+}
diff --git a/src/script.c b/src/script.c
index 7111f3228d..2197c67694 100644
--- a/src/script.c
+++ b/src/script.c
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "trainer_see.h"
 #include "util.h"
 #include "constants/event_objects.h"
+#include "constants/flags.h"
 #include "constants/map_scripts.h"
 #include "field_message_box.h"
 
@@ -259,6 +260,8 @@ void ScriptContext_SetupScript(const u8 *ptr)
     InitScriptContext(&sGlobalScriptContext, gScriptCmdTable, gScriptCmdTableEnd);
     SetupBytecodeScript(&sGlobalScriptContext, ptr);
     LockPlayerFieldControls();
+    if (OW_MON_SCRIPT_MOVEMENT)
+        FlagSet(FLAG_SAFE_FOLLOWER_MOVEMENT);
     sGlobalScriptContextStatus = CONTEXT_RUNNING;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/script_movement.c b/src/script_movement.c
index d67afd9972..021be6d621 100644
--- a/src/script_movement.c
+++ b/src/script_movement.c
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "global.h"
 #include "script_movement.h"
 #include "event_object_movement.h"
+#include "event_scripts.h"
 #include "task.h"
 #include "util.h"
 #include "constants/event_objects.h"
@@ -205,13 +206,34 @@ static void ScriptMovement_MoveObjects(u8 taskId)
     }
 }
 
+// from event_object_movement
+#define sTypeFuncId data[1]
+#define sTimer      data[5]
+
 static void ScriptMovement_TakeStep(u8 taskId, u8 moveScrId, u8 objEventId, const u8 *movementScript)
 {
     u8 nextMoveActionId;
+    struct ObjectEvent *obj = &gObjectEvents[objEventId];
 
-    if (ObjectEventIsHeldMovementActive(&gObjectEvents[objEventId])
-     && !ObjectEventClearHeldMovementIfFinished(&gObjectEvents[objEventId]))
+    if (ObjectEventIsHeldMovementActive(obj) &&
+        !ObjectEventClearHeldMovementIfFinished(obj))
+    {
+        // If, while undergoing scripted movement,
+        // a non-player object collides with an active follower pokemon,
+        // put that follower into a pokeball
+        // (sTimer helps limit this expensive check to once per step)
+        if (OW_MON_SCRIPT_MOVEMENT &&
+            gSprites[obj->spriteId].sTimer == 1 &&
+            (objEventId = GetObjectObjectCollidesWith(obj, 0, 0, TRUE)) < OBJECT_EVENTS_COUNT &&
+            // switch `obj` to follower
+            ((obj = &gObjectEvents[objEventId])->movementType == MOVEMENT_TYPE_FOLLOW_PLAYER) &&
+            gSprites[obj->spriteId].sTypeFuncId != 0)
+        {
+            ClearObjectEventMovement(obj, &gSprites[obj->spriteId]);
+            ScriptMovement_StartObjectMovementScript(obj->localId, obj->mapNum, obj->mapGroup, EnterPokeballMovement);
+        }
         return;
+    }
 
     nextMoveActionId = *movementScript;
     if (nextMoveActionId == MOVEMENT_ACTION_STEP_END)
@@ -229,3 +251,5 @@ static void ScriptMovement_TakeStep(u8 taskId, u8 moveScrId, u8 objEventId, cons
     }
 }
 
+#undef sTypeFuncId
+#undef sTimer
diff --git a/src/sprite.c b/src/sprite.c
index 20324a10d4..be6564a110 100644
--- a/src/sprite.c
+++ b/src/sprite.c
@@ -1465,7 +1465,7 @@ u16 LoadSpriteSheet(const struct SpriteSheet *sheet)
 }
 
 // Like LoadSpriteSheet, but checks if already loaded, and uses template image frames
-u16 LoadSpriteSheetByTemplateWithOffset(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, u32 frame, s32 offset)
+u16 LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, u32 frame, s32 offset)
 {
     u16 tileStart;
     struct SpriteSheet sheet;
@@ -1480,22 +1480,6 @@ u16 LoadSpriteSheetByTemplateWithOffset(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, u
     return LoadSpriteSheetWithOffset(&sheet, offset);
 }
 
-// Like LoadSpriteSheet, but checks if already, and uses template image frames
-u16 LoadSpriteSheetByTemplate(const struct SpriteTemplate *template, u8 frame)
-{
-    u16 tileStart;
-    struct SpriteSheet tempSheet;
-    // error if template is null or tile tag or images not set
-    if (!template || template->tileTag == TAG_NONE || !template->images)
-        return 0xFFFF;
-    if ((tileStart = GetSpriteTileStartByTag(template->tileTag)) != 0xFFFF) // return if already loaded
-        return tileStart;
-    tempSheet.data = template->images[frame].data;
-    tempSheet.size = template->images[frame].size;
-    tempSheet.tag = template->tileTag;
-    return LoadSpriteSheet(&tempSheet);
-}
-
 void LoadSpriteSheets(const struct SpriteSheet *sheets)
 {
     u32 i;