diff --git a/src/core/game3/battle/init.lua b/src/core/game3/battle/init.lua
index 6a1fcb50..091690c0 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/battle/init.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/battle/init.lua
@@ -476,6 +476,8 @@ function Battle.start(opts)
   if #playerParty == 0 then
     return nil, "empty party"
   end
+  local okStay, StayMessage = pcall(require, "src.ui.game3.message")
+  if okStay and StayMessage and StayMessage.closeStay then StayMessage.closeStay() end
   local linkBattle = (opts.link or (type(opts.foe) == "table" and opts.foe.link)) and true or false
   local Guard = require("src.core.game3.battle.link_guard")
   if linkBattle then Guard.arm() else Guard.disarm() end
diff --git a/src/core/game3/battle_bridge.lua b/src/core/game3/battle_bridge.lua
index 7b0fb699..e73f2acb 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/battle_bridge.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/battle_bridge.lua
@@ -600,6 +600,11 @@ function BattleBridge.start(mod, game, foe, opts)
     end
   end
 
+  do
+    local StayMessage = package.loaded["src.ui.game3.message"]
+    if StayMessage and StayMessage.closeStay then StayMessage.closeStay() end
+  end
+
   local function doStart()
     local ok, err = Battle.start(startOpts)
     if not ok then
diff --git a/src/core/game3/map.lua b/src/core/game3/map.lua
index 0f688092..c0175dfc 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/map.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/map.lua
@@ -350,6 +350,10 @@ function Map.load(mod, game, mapId, opts)
   if not MapIds.isGame3Map(mapId) then
     return nil, "not a game3 map"
   end
+  if not opts.seamless then
+    local StayMessage = package.loaded["src.ui.game3.message"]
+    if StayMessage and StayMessage.closeStay then StayMessage.closeStay() end
+  end
   -- pret RestartWildEncounterImmunitySteps on LoadMap / LoadMapFromWarp: every
   -- map entry restarts the wild encounter grace period. Unconditional, so the
   -- seamless connection crossing between two routes resets it too.
diff --git a/src/core/game3/scripting/vm.lua b/src/core/game3/scripting/vm.lua
index e22750ad..0cd95a2c 100644
--- a/src/core/game3/scripting/vm.lua
+++ b/src/core/game3/scripting/vm.lua
@@ -55,7 +55,13 @@ function Vm:halt(aborted)
       a.unfreezeLocal(lid, snap)
     end
   end
+  local wasLocked = ctx.lockKind ~= nil and not aborted
   Ctx.haltCleanup(self.ctx)
+  if wasLocked then
+    -- pokeemerald/src/script.c:233
+    local Field = package.loaded["src.core.game3.field"]
+    if Field and Field.unlock then Field.unlock() end
+  end
   self:_scriptEnded(not aborted)
 end
 
diff --git a/src/ui/game3/cave_transition.lua b/src/ui/game3/cave_transition.lua
index e29f4c03..bec1fd72 100644
--- a/src/ui/game3/cave_transition.lua
+++ b/src/ui/game3/cave_transition.lua
@@ -57,6 +57,10 @@ end
 
 -- src/fldeff_flash.c:475
 function CaveTransition.start(kind, done, skipFirstTask)
+  do
+    local StayMessage = package.loaded["src.ui.game3.message"]
+    if StayMessage and StayMessage.closeStay then StayMessage.closeStay() end
+  end
   local run = newRun(kind, done)
   if skipFirstTask then run.task = "1" else run.defer = true end
   CaveTransition._run = run
diff --git a/src/ui/game3/message.lua b/src/ui/game3/message.lua
index 24072afc..598ca328 100644
--- a/src/ui/game3/message.lua
+++ b/src/ui/game3/message.lua
@@ -288,6 +288,13 @@ function Message.close()
   if done then done() end
 end
 
+function Message.closeStay()
+  if not (Message.open and Message._stay) then return false end
+  Message._done = nil
+  Message.close()
+  return true
+end
+
 -- pokefirered/src/main.c:480
 function Message.reset()
   Message._done = nil
diff --git a/src/ui/game3/naming.lua b/src/ui/game3/naming.lua
index d0bd683b..dcfbcc81 100644
--- a/src/ui/game3/naming.lua
+++ b/src/ui/game3/naming.lua
@@ -451,6 +451,10 @@ end
 
 function Naming.open(opts)
   opts = opts or {}
+  do
+    local StayMessage = package.loaded["src.ui.game3.message"]
+    if StayMessage and StayMessage.closeStay then StayMessage.closeStay() end
+  end
   local man = cacheManifest()
   local tpl = Naming.templateFromManifest(man, opts.template or "PLAYER")
   local okF, Fade = pcall(require, "src.ui.game3.fade")
diff --git a/src/ui/game3/release_seq.lua b/src/ui/game3/release_seq.lua
index 837bc12a..77f94a81 100644
--- a/src/ui/game3/release_seq.lua
+++ b/src/ui/game3/release_seq.lua
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ end
 
 function ReleaseSeq.start(opts)
   opts = opts or {}
+  do
+    local StayMessage = package.loaded["src.ui.game3.message"]
+    if StayMessage and StayMessage.closeStay then StayMessage.closeStay() end
+  end
   ReleaseSeq.active = true
   ReleaseSeq.state = "confirm"
   ReleaseSeq.session = opts.session
diff --git a/src/ui/game3/seagallop.lua b/src/ui/game3/seagallop.lua
index 5d5e0066..be788489 100644
--- a/src/ui/game3/seagallop.lua
+++ b/src/ui/game3/seagallop.lua
@@ -123,6 +123,10 @@ local function loadAssets()
 end
 
 function Seagallop.start(originId, destId, onWarp, onDone)
+  do
+    local StayMessage = package.loaded["src.ui.game3.message"]
+    if StayMessage and StayMessage.closeStay then StayMessage.closeStay() end
+  end
   local dir = Seagallop.directionOfTravel(originId, destId)
   local run = {
     origin = originId,
diff --git a/src/ui/game3/stack.lua b/src/ui/game3/stack.lua
index 20ef5a2c..9b8cbfcc 100644
--- a/src/ui/game3/stack.lua
+++ b/src/ui/game3/stack.lua
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ end
 -- opts.drawUnder: if true, still draw layers below this one.
 function Stack.push(id, mod, opts)
   opts = opts or {}
+  if opts.hideBelow ~= false then
+    local Message = package.loaded["src.ui.game3.message"]
+    if Message and Message.closeStay then Message.closeStay() end
+  end
   -- Replace existing same-id layer (re-open).
   for i = #Stack._layers, 1, -1 do
     if Stack._layers[i].id == id then
diff --git a/tests/drivers/em_stay_box_handoffs.lua b/tests/drivers/em_stay_box_handoffs.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3e999e0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/drivers/em_stay_box_handoffs.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+local U = require("tests.drivers.util")
+local L = require("tests.drivers.em_battle_loop")
+
+local failures = 0
+local function result(ok, label)
+  print((ok and "PASS " or "FAIL ") .. label)
+  if not ok then failures = failures + 1 end
+  return ok
+end
+
+local function finish()
+  print((failures == 0 and "PASS" or "FAIL") .. " em_stay_box_handoffs failures=" .. failures)
+  love.event.quit(failures == 0 and 0 or 1)
+  U.wait(10)
+end
+
+return function(game)
+  io.stdout:setvbuf("line")
+  for _ = 1, 900 do
+    if game.phase == "boot" and game.boot then break end
+    U.wait(1)
+  end
+  game:_handleBootAction({ action = "new_game", name = "BRENDAN", gender = 0 })
+  U.wait(240)
+
+  local Runtime = require("src.core.game3.runtime")
+  local Map = require("src.core.game3.map")
+  local Party = require("src.core.game3.party")
+  local Space = require("src.core.game3.scripting.space")
+  local Message = require("src.ui.game3.message")
+  local Choice = require("src.ui.game3.choice")
+  local Stack = require("src.ui.game3.stack")
+  local Field = require("src.core.game3.field")
+  local Battle = require("src.core.game3.battle")
+  local Safari = require("src.core.game3.safari")
+  local Encounters = require("src.core.game3.encounters")
+  local C = require("src.core.game3.constants").of("emerald")
+  local session = Runtime.getSession()
+  if not result(session ~= nil, "field session exists") then return finish() end
+  Encounters.onStep = function() return nil end
+  session.party = {}
+  Party.giveMon(session, C.species.byName.SPECIES_SWAMPERT, 40, "")
+
+  local function running() return Space.vm and Space.vm:isRunning() end
+  local function untilTrue(fn, frames, step)
+    for _ = 1, frames do
+      if fn() then return true end
+      U.wait(step or 2)
+    end
+    return fn() and true or false
+  end
+  local function answerYes()
+    local opened = untilTrue(function()
+      if Choice.isOpen and Choice.isOpen() then return true end
+      if Message.isOpen() and Message.isWaiting() then U.tap(game, "a") end
+      return false
+    end, 900, 4)
+    if opened then U.wait(6); U.tap(game, "a") end
+    return opened
+  end
+  local function idle()
+    return not running() and not Message.isOpen() and not (Choice.isOpen and Choice.isOpen())
+  end
+  local function settle(label)
+    local ok = untilTrue(function()
+      if Message.isOpen() and not Choice.isOpen() then U.tap(game, "a") end
+      return not running()
+    end, 900, 4)
+    result(ok, label .. ": script finished")
+    U.wait(30)
+  end
+  local function load(id, x, y, facing)
+    local ok, err = pcall(function() Map.load(nil, game, id, { x = x, y = y, facing = facing }) end)
+    result(ok, "load " .. id .. " " .. tostring(err or ""))
+    session.map = id
+    U.wait(60)
+  end
+  local function start(label, localId)
+    local key = Space.scriptKey(label)
+    local ok = key and Space.startScript(key, localId)
+    return result(ok and true or false, label .. " starts")
+  end
+
+  -- pokeemerald/data/scripts/safari_zone.inc:19 warp after MSGBOX_YESNO
+  Safari.enter(session)
+  load("EM_SAFARI_ZONE_SOUTH", 10, 20, "up")
+  if start("SafariZone_EventScript_RetirePrompt") and answerYes() then
+    local warped = untilTrue(function()
+      return Map.current == "EM_ROUTE121_SAFARI_ZONE_ENTRANCE" and not running()
+    end, 1500, 4)
+    result(warped, "safari retire: warped to entrance (" .. tostring(Map.current) .. ")")
+    untilTrue(function() return not Field.locked end, 300, 2)
+    result(not Message.isOpen(), "safari retire: stay box closed after warp")
+    result(not Field.locked, "safari retire: field unlocked after warp")
+  else
+    result(false, "safari retire: prompt opened")
+  end
+  Safari.exit(session)
+
+  -- pokeemerald/data/scripts/safari_zone.inc:41 fadescreen + special OpenPokeblockCaseOnFeeder
+  Safari.enter(session)
+  load("EM_SAFARI_ZONE_SOUTH", 10, 20, "up")
+  if start("EventScript_PokeBlockFeeder") and answerYes() then
+    local screen = untilTrue(function() return Stack.depth() > 0 or not running() end, 900, 4)
+    result(screen, "pokeblock feeder: reached a screen or finished")
+    result(not Message.isOpen(), "pokeblock feeder: stay box closed at screen hand-off")
+    for _ = 1, 4 do
+      if Stack.depth() > 0 then U.tap(game, "b"); U.wait(20) end
+    end
+    settle("pokeblock feeder")
+    result(idle(), "pokeblock feeder: idle afterwards")
+    result(not Field.locked, "pokeblock feeder: field unlocked after cancel")
+    result(not Field.isLocked(), "pokeblock feeder: no field lock tags remain")
+  else
+    result(false, "pokeblock feeder: prompt opened")
+  end
+  Safari.exit(session)
+
+  -- pokeemerald/data/maps/RustboroCity_House1/scripts.inc:12 special ChoosePartyMon
+  load("EM_RUSTBORO_CITY_HOUSE1", 4, 6, "up")
+  if start("RustboroCity_House1_EventScript_Trader", 1) and answerYes() then
+    local party = untilTrue(function() return Stack.has("party") or not running() end, 900, 4)
+    result(party and Stack.has("party"), "rustboro trade: party menu opened")
+    result(not Message.isOpen(), "rustboro trade: stay box closed at party menu")
+    U.tap(game, "b"); U.wait(20)
+    settle("rustboro trade")
+    result(idle(), "rustboro trade: idle afterwards")
+    result(not Field.locked, "rustboro trade: field unlocked")
+  else
+    result(false, "rustboro trade: prompt opened")
+  end
+
+  -- stayed box straight into dowildbattle (synthetic chain over real ops)
+  load("EM_ROUTE104", 10, 10, "down")
+  local key = "synthetic_stay_wild"
+  Space.vm.scripts[key] = {
+    { op = "lockall" },
+    { op = "message", ptr = "SafariZone_Text_WouldYouLikeToExit" },
+    { op = "setwildbattle", C.species.byName.SPECIES_ZIGZAGOON, 3 },
+    { op = "dowildbattle" },
+    { op = "releaseall" },
+    { op = "end" },
+  }
+  result(Space.startScript(key) and true or false, "synthetic stay+wild battle starts")
+  local inBattle = untilTrue(function() return Battle.isActive() end, 1500, 2)
+  result(inBattle, "wild battle started")
+  if inBattle then
+    result(not Message.isOpen(), "stay+wild: stay box closed once battle is up")
+    local over = L.run(game, { turnCap = 60, guard = 60000 })
+    result(over, "wild battle ended turn=" .. tostring(Battle._st and Battle._st.turn) .. " phase=" .. tostring(Battle._phase))
+    U.wait(60)
+    settle("stay+wild")
+  end
+  result(not Message.isOpen(), "stay+wild: stay box closed after battle")
+  result(not Field.locked, "stay+wild: field unlocked")
+
+  -- pokeemerald/data/maps/Route104/scripts.inc:832 trainerbattle_single behind a stayed box
+  load("EM_ROUTE104", 10, 10, "down")
+  local ivanKey = Space.scriptKey("Route104_EventScript_Ivan")
+  local ivan = ivanKey and Space.vm.scripts[ivanKey]
+  result(type(ivan) == "table", "ivan script resolves")
+  if type(ivan) == "table" then
+    local chain = { { op = "lockall" }, { op = "message", ptr = "SafariZone_Text_WouldYouLikeToExit", stay = true } }
+    for _, row in ipairs(ivan) do chain[#chain + 1] = row end
+    Space.vm.scripts["synthetic_stay_trainer"] = chain
+    result(Space.startScript("synthetic_stay_trainer") and true or false, "synthetic stay+trainer starts")
+    local sawStay = untilTrue(function() return Message.isOpen() end, 300, 1)
+    result(sawStay, "stay+trainer: stay box opened first")
+    local tb = untilTrue(function()
+      if Message.isOpen() and Message.isWaiting() and not Battle.isActive() then U.tap(game, "a") end
+      return Battle.isActive()
+    end, 3000, 2)
+    result(tb, "stay+trainer: trainer battle started")
+    if tb then
+      result(not Message.isOpen(), "stay+trainer: stay box closed once battle is up")
+      local over = L.run(game, { turnCap = 60, guard = 60000 })
+      result(over, "trainer battle ended")
+      U.wait(60)
+      settle("stay+trainer")
+    end
+    result(not Message.isOpen(), "stay+trainer: stay box closed after battle")
+    result(not Field.locked, "stay+trainer: field unlocked")
+  end
+
+  -- pokeemerald/data/maps/LavaridgeTown_HerbShop/scripts.inc:7 message then pokemart
+  load("EM_LAVARIDGE_TOWN_HERB_SHOP", 3, 4, "up")
+  if start("LavaridgeTown_HerbShop_EventScript_Clerk", 1) then
+    local ShopMenu = require("src.ui.game3.shop_menu")
+    local shop = untilTrue(function()
+      if Message.isOpen() and Message.isWaiting() and not ShopMenu.isOpen() then U.tap(game, "a") end
+      return ShopMenu.isOpen()
+    end, 1500, 2)
+    result(shop, "herb shop: shop menu opened")
+    result(not Message.isOpen(), "herb shop: stay box closed at shop")
+    for _ = 1, 6 do
+      if ShopMenu.isOpen() then U.tap(game, "b"); U.wait(20) end
+    end
+    settle("herb shop")
+    result(not Field.locked, "herb shop: field unlocked")
+  end
+
+  -- pokeemerald/data/maps/Route112_CableCarStation/scripts.inc:50 stayed box then special CableCar
+  load("EM_ROUTE112_CABLE_CAR_STATION", 6, 8, "up")
+  Space.vm.scripts["synthetic_stay_cablecar"] = {
+    { op = "lockall" },
+    { op = "message", ptr = "SafariZone_Text_WouldYouLikeToExit", stay = true },
+    { op = "special", id = 155 },
+    { op = "releaseall" },
+    { op = "end" },
+  }
+  result(Space.startScript("synthetic_stay_cablecar") and true or false, "synthetic stay+cable car starts")
+  local cc = untilTrue(function()
+    if Message.isOpen() and Message.isWaiting() and Stack.depth() == 0 then U.tap(game, "a") end
+    return Stack.has("cable_car")
+  end, 900, 2)
+  result(cc, "stay+cable car: scene opened")
+  result(not Message.isOpen(), "stay+cable car: stay box closed at scene")
+  while Stack.depth() > 0 do Stack.pop() end
+  U.wait(10)
+
+  finish()
+end
diff --git a/tests/drivers/fr_stay_box_handoffs.lua b/tests/drivers/fr_stay_box_handoffs.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..14ea894f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/drivers/fr_stay_box_handoffs.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+local U = require("tests.drivers.util")
+local L = require("tests.drivers.em_battle_loop")
+
+local failures = 0
+local function result(ok, label)
+  print((ok and "PASS " or "FAIL ") .. label)
+  if not ok then failures = failures + 1 end
+  return ok
+end
+
+local function finish()
+  print((failures == 0 and "PASS" or "FAIL") .. " fr_stay_box_handoffs failures=" .. failures)
+  love.event.quit(failures == 0 and 0 or 1)
+  U.wait(10)
+end
+
+return function(game)
+  io.stdout:setvbuf("line")
+  for _ = 1, 900 do
+    if game.phase == "boot" and game.boot then break end
+    U.wait(1)
+  end
+  game:_handleBootAction({ action = "new_game", name = "RED" })
+  U.wait(240)
+
+  local Runtime = require("src.core.game3.runtime")
+  local Map = require("src.core.game3.map")
+  local Party = require("src.core.game3.party")
+  local Space = require("src.core.game3.scripting.space")
+  local Message = require("src.ui.game3.message")
+  local Choice = require("src.ui.game3.choice")
+  local Field = require("src.core.game3.field")
+  local Battle = require("src.core.game3.battle")
+  local Encounters = require("src.core.game3.encounters")
+  local C = require("src.core.game3.constants").of("firered")
+  local session = Runtime.getSession()
+  if not result(session ~= nil, "field session exists") then return finish() end
+  Encounters.onStep = function() return nil end
+  session.party = {}
+  Party.giveMon(session, C.species.byName.SPECIES_BLASTOISE, 40, "")
+
+  local function running() return Space.vm and Space.vm:isRunning() end
+  local function untilTrue(fn, frames, step)
+    for _ = 1, frames do
+      if fn() then return true end
+      U.wait(step or 2)
+    end
+    return fn() and true or false
+  end
+  local function answerYes()
+    local opened = untilTrue(function()
+      if Choice.isOpen and Choice.isOpen() then return true end
+      if Message.isOpen() and Message.isWaiting() then U.tap(game, "a") end
+      return false
+    end, 900, 4)
+    if opened then U.wait(6); U.tap(game, "a") end
+    return opened
+  end
+  local function load(id, x, y, facing)
+    local ok, err = pcall(function() Map.load(nil, game, id, { x = x, y = y, facing = facing }) end)
+    result(ok, "load " .. id .. " " .. tostring(err or ""))
+    session.map = id
+    U.wait(60)
+  end
+
+  -- pokefirered/data/maps/CinnabarIsland_PokemonLab_Lounge/scripts.inc:52 special ChoosePartyMon
+  local Stack = require("src.ui.game3.stack")
+  load("FR_CINNABAR_ISLAND_POKEMON_LAB_LOUNGE", 6, 6, "up")
+  local key = Space.scriptKey("g3:0816e33e") or Space.scriptKey("g3:0816e3b6")
+  result(key and Space.startScript(key, 1) and true or false, "Norma trade script starts")
+  if answerYes() then
+    local party = untilTrue(function() return Stack.has("party") or not running() end, 900, 4)
+    result(party and Stack.has("party"), "trade: party menu opened")
+    result(not Message.isOpen(), "trade: stay box closed at party menu")
+    U.tap(game, "b"); U.wait(20)
+    untilTrue(function()
+      if Message.isOpen() and not Choice.isOpen() then U.tap(game, "a") end
+      return not running()
+    end, 900, 4)
+    result(not running() and not Message.isOpen(), "trade: idle afterwards")
+    result(not Field.locked, "trade: field unlocked")
+  else
+    result(false, "trade: prompt opened")
+  end
+
+  load("FR_ROUTE1", 10, 10, "down")
+  local synth = "synthetic_stay_wild"
+  Space.vm.scripts[synth] = {
+    { op = "lockall" },
+    { op = "message", ptr = "SafariZone_Text_WouldYouLikeToExit" },
+    { op = "setwildbattle", C.species.byName.SPECIES_RATTATA, 3 },
+    { op = "dowildbattle" },
+    { op = "releaseall" },
+    { op = "end" },
+  }
+  result(Space.startScript(synth) and true or false, "synthetic stay+wild battle starts")
+  local inBattle = untilTrue(function() return Battle.isActive() end, 1500, 2)
+  result(inBattle, "wild battle started")
+  if inBattle then
+    result(not Message.isOpen(), "stay+wild: stay box closed once battle is up")
+    local over = L.run(game, { turnCap = 60, guard = 60000 })
+    result(over, "wild battle ended")
+    U.wait(60)
+    untilTrue(function()
+      if Message.isOpen() then U.tap(game, "a") end
+      return not running()
+    end, 900, 4)
+  end
+  result(not Message.isOpen(), "stay+wild: stay box closed after battle")
+  result(not Field.locked, "stay+wild: field unlocked")
+  finish()
+end