Assets/Prefabs/Characters/Gardener.prefab

@@ -1978,11 +1978,11 @@ PrefabInstance:
       objectReference: {fileID: 0}
     - target: {fileID: 3484825090253933040, guid: a8b0a1c6cf21352439dc24d3b03182db, type: 3}
       propertyPath: m_AnchoredPosition.x
-      value: 1.85
+      value: 0.09
       objectReference: {fileID: 0}
     - target: {fileID: 3484825090253933040, guid: a8b0a1c6cf21352439dc24d3b03182db, type: 3}
       propertyPath: m_AnchoredPosition.y
-      value: 5.14
+      value: 3.44
       objectReference: {fileID: 0}
     - target: {fileID: 3484825090253933040, guid: a8b0a1c6cf21352439dc24d3b03182db, type: 3}
       propertyPath: m_LocalEulerAnglesHint.x

Assets/Prefabs/Puzzles/Picnic.prefab.meta

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 fileFormatVersion: 2
-guid: 2c9ee06300474fb41b711f1c49f72d94
-DefaultImporter:
+guid: 97f767ded753d524086106f3c39a645f
+PrefabImporter:
   externalObjects: {}
   userData: 
   assetBundleName: 

Assets/Scripts/Animation/BirdEyesBehavior.cs

@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
+using Core.SaveLoad;
 using UnityEngine;
 using Pixelplacement;
 
 public class BirdEyesBehavior : MonoBehaviour
 {
-    private StateMachine statemachine;
+    private AppleMachine statemachine;
     private Animator animator;
     public bool correctItemIsIn;
     [SerializeField] private Animator bushAnimator; // Assign in Inspector
     // Start is called once before the first execution of Update after the MonoBehaviour is created
     void Start()
     {
-        statemachine = GetComponent<StateMachine>();
+        statemachine = GetComponent<AppleMachine>();
         animator = GetComponentInChildren<Animator>();
     }
 

Assets/Scripts/Core/Lifecycle/LifecycleManager.cs

@@ -221,7 +221,10 @@ namespace Core.Lifecycle
         {
             LogDebug($"Broadcasting ManagedAwake to {managedAwakeList.Count} components");
 
-            foreach (var component in managedAwakeList)
+            // Create a copy to avoid collection modification during iteration
+            var componentsCopy = new List<ManagedBehaviour>(managedAwakeList);
+            
+            foreach (var component in componentsCopy)
             {
                 if (component == null) continue;
 
@@ -337,7 +340,10 @@ namespace Core.Lifecycle
                 ProcessBatchedSceneComponents();
             }
 
-            foreach (var component in sceneReadyList)
+            // Create a copy to avoid collection modification during iteration
+            var componentsCopy = new List<ManagedBehaviour>(sceneReadyList);
+            
+            foreach (var component in componentsCopy)
             {
                 if (component == null) continue;
 
@@ -364,7 +370,10 @@ namespace Core.Lifecycle
         {
             var saveData = new Dictionary<string, string>();
             
-            foreach (var component in managedAwakeList)
+            // Create a copy to avoid collection modification during iteration
+            var componentsCopy = new List<ManagedBehaviour>(managedAwakeList);
+            
+            foreach (var component in componentsCopy)
             {
                 if (component == null || !component.AutoRegisterForSave) continue;
                 
@@ -396,7 +405,10 @@ namespace Core.Lifecycle
         {
             var saveData = new Dictionary<string, string>();
             
-            foreach (var component in managedAwakeList)
+            // Create a copy to avoid collection modification during iteration
+            var componentsCopy = new List<ManagedBehaviour>(managedAwakeList);
+            
+            foreach (var component in componentsCopy)
             {
                 if (component == null || !component.AutoRegisterForSave) continue;
                 
@@ -429,7 +441,12 @@ namespace Core.Lifecycle
             if (saveData == null) return;
             
             int restoredCount = 0;
-            foreach (var component in managedAwakeList)
+            
+            // Create a copy to avoid collection modification during iteration
+            // (components might destroy themselves during restoration)
+            var componentsCopy = new List<ManagedBehaviour>(managedAwakeList);
+            
+            foreach (var component in componentsCopy)
             {
                 if (component == null || !component.AutoRegisterForSave) continue;
                 
@@ -461,7 +478,11 @@ namespace Core.Lifecycle
             if (saveData == null) return;
             
             int restoredCount = 0;
-            foreach (var component in managedAwakeList)
+            
+            // Create a copy to avoid collection modification during iteration
+            var componentsCopy = new List<ManagedBehaviour>(managedAwakeList);
+            
+            foreach (var component in componentsCopy)
             {
                 if (component == null || !component.AutoRegisterForSave) continue;
                 
@@ -492,7 +513,10 @@ namespace Core.Lifecycle
         {
             LogDebug("Broadcasting GlobalLoadCompleted");
             
-            foreach (var component in managedAwakeList)
+            // Create a copy to avoid collection modification during iteration
+            var componentsCopy = new List<ManagedBehaviour>(managedAwakeList);
+            
+            foreach (var component in componentsCopy)
             {
                 if (component == null || !component.AutoRegisterForSave) continue;
                 
@@ -516,7 +540,10 @@ namespace Core.Lifecycle
         {
             LogDebug("Broadcasting GlobalSaveStarted");
             
-            foreach (var component in managedAwakeList)
+            // Create a copy to avoid collection modification during iteration
+            var componentsCopy = new List<ManagedBehaviour>(managedAwakeList);
+            
+            foreach (var component in componentsCopy)
             {
                 if (component == null || !component.AutoRegisterForSave) continue;
                 

Assets/Scripts/Core/SceneOrientationEnforcer.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-using System.Collections;
+using System.Collections;
 using AppleHills.Core.Settings;
 using Core.Lifecycle;
 using Settings;
@@ -36,6 +36,12 @@ namespace Core
 
         protected override void OnManagedAwake()
         {
+            // Subscribe to SceneManagerService to enforce orientation on every scene load
+            if (SceneManagerService.Instance != null)
+            {
+                SceneManagerService.Instance.SceneLoadCompleted += OnSceneLoadCompleted;
+            }
+            
             #if UNITY_EDITOR
             // When playing in the editor, manually invoke orientation check for the currently active scene
             if (Application.isPlaying)
@@ -47,11 +53,17 @@ namespace Core
 
         protected override void OnSceneReady()
         {
-            // Handle orientation when scene is ready
+            // Handle orientation when scene is ready (initial scene)
             // Note: This fires for the scene that just loaded, LifecycleManager tracks which scene
             string sceneName = UnityEngine.SceneManagement.SceneManager.GetActiveScene().name;
             HandleSceneOrientation(sceneName);
         }
+        
+        private void OnSceneLoadCompleted(string sceneName)
+        {
+            // Enforce orientation every time a scene is loaded via SceneManagerService
+            HandleSceneOrientation(sceneName);
+        }
 
         private void HandleSceneOrientation(string sceneName)
         {
@@ -95,6 +107,12 @@ namespace Core
         
         protected override void OnDestroy()
         {
+            // Unsubscribe from events to prevent memory leaks
+            if (SceneManagerService.Instance != null)
+            {
+                SceneManagerService.Instance.SceneLoadCompleted -= OnSceneLoadCompleted;
+            }
+            
             base.OnDestroy(); // Important: call base
         }
         

Assets/Scripts/Core/Settings/InteractionSettings.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using UnityEngine;
+using Interactions;
 
 namespace AppleHills.Core.Settings
 {
@@ -88,5 +89,31 @@ namespace AppleHills.Core.Settings
             }
             return null;
         }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Finds a pickup prefab by its itemData.itemId.
+        /// Searches through combination rules to find result prefabs.
+        /// Used to spawn dynamically created items during save/load.
+        /// </summary>
+        public GameObject FindPickupPrefabByItemId(string itemId)
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(itemId) || combinationRules == null)
+                return null;
+
+            // Search through combination rules to find a result prefab with matching itemId
+            foreach (var rule in combinationRules)
+            {
+                if (rule.resultPrefab != null)
+                {
+                    var pickup = rule.resultPrefab.GetComponent<Pickup>();
+                    if (pickup != null && pickup.itemData != null && pickup.itemData.itemId == itemId)
+                    {
+                        return rule.resultPrefab;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            return null;
+        }
     }
 }

Assets/Scripts/Core/Settings/SettingsInterfaces.cs

@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ namespace AppleHills.Core.Settings
         // Methods to query item configurations
         CombinationRule GetCombinationRule(PickupItemData item1, PickupItemData item2);
         SlotItemConfig GetSlotItemConfig(PickupItemData slotItem);
+        GameObject FindPickupPrefabByItemId(string itemId);
     }
 
     /// <summary>

Assets/Scripts/DamianExperiments/Picnic/PicnicBehaviour.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ using UnityEngine;
 using Pixelplacement;
 using System.Collections;
 using Core;
+using Core.SaveLoad;
 using UnityEngine.Audio;
 
 public class PicnicBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ public class PicnicBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
     public float getFlirtyMin = 1f;
     public float getFlirtyMax = 3f;
 
-    private StateMachine stateMachine;
+    private AppleMachine stateMachine;
     private Animator animator;
 
     [Header("The FakeChocolate to destroy!")]
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ public class PicnicBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
 
     void Awake()
     {
-        stateMachine = GetComponent<StateMachine>();
+        stateMachine = GetComponent<AppleMachine>();
         animator = GetComponent<Animator>();
         _audioSource = GetComponent<AppleAudioSource>();
     }

Assets/Scripts/DamianExperiments/SoundBirdPuzzleSection/Animations/soundBird_Idle.anim

@@ -97,90 +97,7 @@ AnimationClip:
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       value: {fileID: -1414182512, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
     attribute: m_Sprite
-    path: SoundBird
-    classID: 212
-    script: {fileID: 0}
-    flags: 2
-  - serializedVersion: 2
-    curve:
-    - time: 0
-      value: {fileID: -1035714051, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
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-    - time: 0.11666667
-      value: {fileID: -960280295, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
-    - time: 0.13333334
-      value: {fileID: -1144832505, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
-    - time: 0.2
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-    - time: 1.4166666
-      value: {fileID: 1984933759, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
-    - time: 1.45
-      value: {fileID: -89013944, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
-    - time: 1.5
-      value: {fileID: 1990407029, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
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-    - time: 1.5833334
-      value: {fileID: -1414182512, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
-    attribute: m_Sprite
-    path: SoundBirdTakeoff/SoundBirdTakeOffAnim
+    path: 
     classID: 212
     script: {fileID: 0}
     flags: 2
@@ -192,16 +109,7 @@ AnimationClip:
   m_ClipBindingConstant:
     genericBindings:
     - serializedVersion: 2
-      path: 1707885837
-      attribute: 0
-      script: {fileID: 0}
-      typeID: 212
-      customType: 23
-      isPPtrCurve: 1
-      isIntCurve: 0
-      isSerializeReferenceCurve: 0
-    - serializedVersion: 2
-      path: 631576921
+      path: 0
       attribute: 0
       script: {fileID: 0}
       typeID: 212
@@ -248,44 +156,6 @@ AnimationClip:
     - {fileID: 1990407029, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
     - {fileID: 1094948637, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
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-    - {fileID: -1035714051, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
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-    - {fileID: -648204482, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
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-    - {fileID: -1144832505, guid: 9d1670b18fc5fa8459596f1ddd4a4bd7, type: 3}
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   m_AnimationClipSettings:
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     m_AdditiveReferencePoseClip: {fileID: 0}

Assets/Scripts/DamianExperiments/SoundBirdPuzzleSection/Sound Generator.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using Core;
+using Core.SaveLoad;
 using Pixelplacement;
 using UnityEngine;
 
@@ -8,7 +9,7 @@ public class SoundGenerator : MonoBehaviour
     [SerializeField] private Sprite exitSprite;
     [SerializeField] private AudioClip enterSound;
     [SerializeField] private AppleAudioSource audioSource;
-    [SerializeField] private StateMachine soundBirdSMRef;
+    [SerializeField] private AppleMachine soundBirdSMRef;
     [SerializeField] private soundBird_CanFly soundbirdHearingCheck;
 
     private bool playerInside = false;
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ public class SoundGenerator : MonoBehaviour
             {
                 audioSource.audioSource.PlayOneShot(enterSound);
             }
-            if (soundBirdSMRef != null && soundBirdSMRef.currentState.name == "SoundBird" && soundbirdHearingCheck.canFly == true)
+            if (soundBirdSMRef != null && soundBirdSMRef.currentState.name.ToLower().Contains("soundbird") && soundbirdHearingCheck.canFly == true)
             {
                 soundBirdSMRef.ChangeState("SoundBirdTakeoff"); 
 

Assets/Scripts/DamianExperiments/SoundBirdPuzzleSection/cameraSwitcher.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using UnityEngine;
 using Unity.Cinemachine;
 using System.Collections;
+using Core.SaveLoad;
 using Pixelplacement;
 
 public class cameraSwitcher : MonoBehaviour
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ public class cameraSwitcher : MonoBehaviour
     [SerializeField] private float transitionDuration = 0.5f; // Duration of the transition
     [SerializeField] private soundBird_FlyingBehaviour flyingBehaviour;
     [SerializeField] private soundBird_TakeOffBehaviour takeOffBehaviour; // New reference
-    [SerializeField] private StateMachine birdStateMachine;
+    [SerializeField] private AppleMachine birdStateMachine;
 
     private int playerInsideCount = 0;
     private Coroutine zoomCoroutine;
@@ -32,6 +33,9 @@ public class cameraSwitcher : MonoBehaviour
 
     private void OnTriggerExit2D(Collider2D other)
     {
+        if (!gameObject.activeInHierarchy)
+            return;
+        
         if (other.CompareTag("Player"))
         {
             playerInsideCount--;

Assets/Scripts/DamianExperiments/SoundBirdPuzzleSection/soundBird_FlyingBehaviour.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+using Core.SaveLoad;
 using Pixelplacement;
 using Pixelplacement.TweenSystem;
 using UnityEngine;
@@ -10,7 +11,7 @@ public class soundBird_FlyingBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
     public float flightDelay;
     public float cooldownTime;
 
-    private StateMachine stateMachine;
+    private AppleMachine stateMachine;
     private Animator animator;
     private TweenBase objectTween;
     //private Coroutine cooldownCoroutine;
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ public class soundBird_FlyingBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
 
     void Awake()
     {
-        stateMachine = GetComponentInParent<StateMachine>();
+        stateMachine = GetComponentInParent<AppleMachine>();
         animator = GetComponentInParent<Animator>();
     }
 

Assets/Scripts/DamianExperiments/SoundBirdPuzzleSection/soundBird_LandingBehaviour1.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+using Core.SaveLoad;
 using Pixelplacement;
 using Pixelplacement.TweenSystem;
 using UnityEngine;
@@ -9,7 +10,7 @@ public class soundBird_LandingBehaviour1 : MonoBehaviour
     public float flightDuration;
     public float flightDelay;
     public soundBird_FlyingBehaviour flyingBehaviour;
-    private StateMachine stateMachine;
+    private AppleMachine stateMachine;
     private Animator animator;
     private TweenBase objectTween;
 
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ public class soundBird_LandingBehaviour1 : MonoBehaviour
 
     void Awake()
     {
-        stateMachine = GetComponentInParent<StateMachine>();
+        stateMachine = GetComponentInParent<AppleMachine>();
         animator = GetComponentInParent<Animator>();
     }
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ public class soundBird_LandingBehaviour1 : MonoBehaviour
         if (stateMachine != null)
         {
             animator.SetBool("isScared", false);
-            stateMachine.ChangeState("SoundBird"); // Change to the desired state name
+            stateMachine.ChangeState(0); // Change to the desired state name
         }
     }
 

Assets/Scripts/DamianExperiments/SoundBirdPuzzleSection/soundBird_TakeOffBehaviour.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+using Core.SaveLoad;
 using Pixelplacement;
 using Pixelplacement.TweenSystem;
 using UnityEngine;
@@ -9,7 +10,7 @@ public class soundBird_TakeOffBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
     public Transform SoundBirdObject;
     public float flightDuration;
     public float flightDelay;
-    private StateMachine stateMachine;
+    private AppleMachine stateMachine;
     private Animator animator;
     private TweenBase objectTween;
     public soundBird_FlyingBehaviour flyingBehaviour;
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ public class soundBird_TakeOffBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
 
     void Awake()
     {
-        stateMachine = GetComponentInParent<StateMachine>();
+        stateMachine = GetComponentInParent<AppleMachine>();
         animator = GetComponentInParent<Animator>();
     }
     // Start is called once before the first execution of Update after the MonoBehaviour is created

Assets/Scripts/Interactions/Pickup.cs

@@ -105,6 +105,9 @@ namespace Interactions
             
             if (combinationResult == FollowerController.CombinationResult.Successful)
             {
+                // Mark this pickup as picked up (consumed in combination) to prevent restoration
+                IsPickedUp = true;
+                
                 // Combination succeeded - original items destroyed, result picked up by TryCombineItems
                 FireCombinationEvent(resultItem, heldItemData);
                 return true;

Assets/Scripts/Levels/LevelSwitch.cs

@@ -14,8 +14,9 @@ namespace Levels
     public class LevelSwitch : InteractableBase
     {
         public LevelSwitchData switchData;
-        private SpriteRenderer iconRenderer;
-        private IInteractionSettings interactionSettings;
+        private SpriteRenderer _iconRenderer;
+        private IInteractionSettings _interactionSettings;
+        private GameObject _menuObjectRef;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Unity Awake callback. Sets up icon, interactable, and event handlers.
@@ -26,11 +27,11 @@ namespace Levels
             
             Debug.Log($"[LevelSwitch] Awake called for {gameObject.name} in scene {gameObject.scene.name}");
             
-            if (iconRenderer == null)
-                iconRenderer = GetComponent<SpriteRenderer>();
+            if (_iconRenderer == null)
+                _iconRenderer = GetComponent<SpriteRenderer>();
         
             // Initialize settings reference
-            interactionSettings = GameManager.GetSettingsObject<IInteractionSettings>();
+            _interactionSettings = GameManager.GetSettingsObject<IInteractionSettings>();
         
             ApplySwitchData();
         }
@@ -51,8 +52,8 @@ namespace Levels
         /// </summary>
         void OnValidate()
         {
-            if (iconRenderer == null)
-                iconRenderer = GetComponent<SpriteRenderer>();
+            if (_iconRenderer == null)
+                _iconRenderer = GetComponent<SpriteRenderer>();
             ApplySwitchData();
         }
 #endif
@@ -64,8 +65,8 @@ namespace Levels
         {
             if (switchData != null)
             {
-                if (iconRenderer != null)
-                    iconRenderer.sprite = switchData.mapSprite;
+                if (_iconRenderer != null)
+                    _iconRenderer.sprite = switchData.mapSprite;
                 gameObject.name = switchData.targetLevelSceneName;
                 // Optionally update other fields, e.g. description
             }
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ namespace Levels
                 return false;
             }
 
-            var menuPrefab = interactionSettings?.LevelSwitchMenuPrefab;
+            var menuPrefab = _interactionSettings?.LevelSwitchMenuPrefab;
             if (menuPrefab == null)
             {
                 Debug.LogError("LevelSwitchMenu prefab not assigned in InteractionSettings!");
@@ -90,12 +91,12 @@ namespace Levels
             }
             
             // Spawn the menu overlay
-            var menuGo = Instantiate(menuPrefab);
-            var menu = menuGo.GetComponent<LevelSwitchMenu>();
+            _menuObjectRef = Instantiate(menuPrefab);
+            var menu = _menuObjectRef.GetComponent<LevelSwitchMenu>();
             if (menu == null)
             {
                 Debug.LogError("LevelSwitchMenu component missing on prefab!");
-                Destroy(menuGo);
+                Destroy(_menuObjectRef);
                 return false;
             }
             

Assets/Scripts/Minigames/DivingForPictures/DivingGameManager.cs

@@ -106,10 +106,9 @@ namespace Minigames.DivingForPictures
         public override int ManagedAwakePriority => 190;
         public override bool AutoRegisterPausable => true; // Automatic GameManager registration
 
-        protected override void OnManagedAwake()
+        protected override void Awake()
         {
-            _settings = GameManager.GetSettingsObject<IDivingMinigameSettings>();
-            _currentSpawnProbability = _settings?.BaseSpawnProbability ?? 0.2f;
+            base.Awake();
             
             if (_instance == null)
             {
@@ -119,7 +118,13 @@ namespace Minigames.DivingForPictures
             {
                 Destroy(gameObject);
             }
+        }
 
+        protected override void OnManagedAwake()
+        {
+            _settings = GameManager.GetSettingsObject<IDivingMinigameSettings>();
+            _currentSpawnProbability = _settings?.BaseSpawnProbability ?? 0.2f;
+            
             // Ensure any previous run state is reset when this manager awakes
             _isGameOver = false;
             
@@ -187,6 +192,8 @@ namespace Minigames.DivingForPictures
 
         private void Update()
         {
+            if(_settings == null) return;
+            
             _timeSinceLastSpawn += Time.deltaTime;
 
             // Gradually increase spawn probability over time

Assets/Scripts/Movement/FollowerController.cs

@@ -611,12 +611,14 @@ public class FollowerController : ManagedBehaviour
         newItem = Instantiate(matchingRule.resultPrefab, spawnPos, Quaternion.identity);
         var resultPickup = newItem.GetComponent<Pickup>();
         
-        // Mark items as picked up before destroying (for save system)
+        // Mark items as picked up before disabling (for save system)
         pickupA.IsPickedUp = true;
         pickupB.IsPickedUp = true;
         
-        Destroy(pickupA.gameObject);
-        Destroy(pickupB.gameObject);
+        // Disable instead of destroying immediately so they can save their state
+        // The save system will mark them as picked up and won't restore them
+        pickupA.gameObject.SetActive(false);
+        pickupB.gameObject.SetActive(false);
         
         // Pickup the result (don't drop it!)
         TryPickupItem(newItem, resultPickup.itemData, dropItem: false);
@@ -787,7 +789,8 @@ public class FollowerController : ManagedBehaviour
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Bilateral restoration: Follower tries to find and claim the held item.
-    /// If pickup doesn't exist yet, it will try to claim us when it restores.
+    /// If pickup doesn't exist in the scene (e.g., dynamically spawned combined item),
+    /// spawns it from the itemData.
     /// </summary>
     private void TryRestoreHeldItem(string heldItemSaveId, string itemDataId)
     {
@@ -797,10 +800,30 @@ public class FollowerController : ManagedBehaviour
             return;
         }
 
-        // Try to find the pickup immediately
+        // Try to find the pickup in the scene by SaveId
         GameObject heldObject = ItemManager.Instance?.FindPickupBySaveId(heldItemSaveId);
         
-        if (heldObject == null)
+        if (heldObject == null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(itemDataId))
+        {
+            // Item not found in scene - it might be a dynamically spawned combined item
+            // Try to spawn it from the itemDataId
+            Logging.Debug($"[FollowerController] Held item not found in scene: {heldItemSaveId}, attempting to spawn from itemId: {itemDataId}");
+            
+            GameObject prefab = _interactionSettings?.FindPickupPrefabByItemId(itemDataId);
+            if (prefab != null)
+            {
+                // Spawn the item (inactive, since it's being held)
+                heldObject = Instantiate(prefab, transform.position, Quaternion.identity);
+                heldObject.SetActive(false);
+                Logging.Debug($"[FollowerController] Successfully spawned combined item: {itemDataId}");
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                Logging.Warning($"[FollowerController] Could not find prefab for itemId: {itemDataId}");
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+        else if (heldObject == null)
         {
             Logging.Debug($"[FollowerController] Held item not found yet: {heldItemSaveId}, waiting for pickup to restore");
             return; // Pickup will find us when it restores
@@ -809,7 +832,9 @@ public class FollowerController : ManagedBehaviour
         var pickup = heldObject.GetComponent<Pickup>();
         if (pickup == null)
         {
-            Logging.Warning($"[FollowerController] Found object but no Pickup component: {heldItemSaveId}");
+            Logging.Warning($"[FollowerController] Found/spawned object but no Pickup component: {heldItemSaveId}");
+            if (heldObject != null)
+                Destroy(heldObject);
             return;
         }
 

Assets/Scripts/PuzzleS/ObjectiveStepBehaviour.cs

@@ -87,15 +87,6 @@ namespace PuzzleS
             }
         }
         
-        void OnDisable()
-        {
-            if (_interactable != null)
-            {
-                _interactable.interactionStarted.RemoveListener(OnInteractionStarted);
-                _interactable.interactionComplete.RemoveListener(OnInteractionComplete);
-            }
-        }
-
         protected override void OnDestroy()
         {
             base.OnDestroy();
@@ -104,6 +95,12 @@ namespace PuzzleS
             {
                 PuzzleManager.Instance.UnregisterStepBehaviour(this);
             }
+            
+            if (_interactable != null)
+            {
+                _interactable.interactionStarted.RemoveListener(OnInteractionStarted);
+                _interactable.interactionComplete.RemoveListener(OnInteractionComplete);
+            }
         }
         
         /// <summary>

Assets/Scripts/StateMachines/Quarry/AnneLise/AnneLiseBushBehaviour.cs

@@ -1,18 +1,22 @@
-using UnityEngine;
+using Core.SaveLoad;
 using Pixelplacement;
+using UnityEngine;
 
-public class AnneLiseBushBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
+namespace StateMachines.Quarry.AnneLise
 {
-
-    private StateMachine anneLiseBushStateMachine;
-    // Start is called once before the first execution of Update after the MonoBehaviour is created
-    void Start()
+    public class AnneLiseBushBehaviour : MonoBehaviour
     {
-        anneLiseBushStateMachine = GetComponent<StateMachine>();
-    }
 
-    public void TakePhoto()
-    {
-        anneLiseBushStateMachine.ChangeState("TakePhoto");
+        private AppleMachine _anneLiseBushStateMachine;
+        // Start is called once before the first execution of Update after the MonoBehaviour is created
+        void Start()
+        {
+            _anneLiseBushStateMachine = GetComponent<AppleMachine>();
+        }
+
+        public void TakePhoto()
+        {
+            _anneLiseBushStateMachine.ChangeState("TakePhoto");
+        }
     }
 }

Assets/Scripts/StateMachines/Quarry/AnneLise/TakePhotoState.cs

@@ -14,20 +14,17 @@ namespace StateMachines.Quarry.AnneLise
 
         public UnityEvent animFlash;
         public UnityEvent animStart;
-
-        void Start()
-        {
-            // Find references that are needed regardless of enter/restore
-            _playerCharacter = GameObject.FindWithTag("Player");
-            _playerTouchController = _playerCharacter.GetComponent<PlayerTouchController>();
-        }
-
+        
         /// <summary>
         /// Called when entering this state during normal gameplay.
         /// Initiates player movement and triggers photo-taking sequence.
         /// </summary>
         public override void OnEnterState()
         {
+            // Find references that are needed regardless of enter/restore
+            _playerCharacter = GameObject.FindWithTag("Player");
+            _playerTouchController = _playerCharacter.GetComponent<PlayerTouchController>();
+            
             // Subscribe to player arrival event
             _playerTouchController.OnArrivedAtTarget += PlayerHasArrived;
 

Assets/Scripts/UI/PauseMenu.cs

@@ -46,13 +46,12 @@ namespace UI
         
         protected override void OnManagedAwake()
         {
-            // Component setup already done in Awake
-        }
-
-        protected override void OnSceneReady()
-        {
-            // Subscribe to scene-dependent events
-            SceneManagerService.Instance.SceneLoadCompleted += SetPauseMenuByLevel;
+            // Subscribe to scene-dependent events - must be in OnManagedAwake, not OnSceneReady
+            // because PauseMenu is in DontDestroyOnLoad and OnSceneReady only fires once
+            if (SceneManagerService.Instance != null)
+            {
+                SceneManagerService.Instance.SceneLoadCompleted += SetPauseMenuByLevel;
+            }
             
             // Also react to global UI hide/show events from the page controller
             if (UIPageController.Instance != null)
@@ -67,6 +66,11 @@ namespace UI
             Logging.Debug("[PauseMenu] Subscribed to SceneManagerService events");
         }
 
+        protected override void OnSceneReady()
+        {
+            // This only fires once for DontDestroyOnLoad objects, so we handle scene loads in OnManagedAwake
+        }
+
         protected override void OnDestroy()
         {
             base.OnDestroy();
@@ -89,17 +93,30 @@ namespace UI
         /// <param name="levelName">The name of the level/scene</param>
         public void SetPauseMenuByLevel(string levelName)
         {
-            HidePauseMenu();
-            // TODO: Implement level-based pause menu visibility logic if needed
-            /*if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(levelName))
-                return;
-                
-            bool isStartingLevel = levelName.ToLower().Contains("startingscene");
+            // When a new scene loads, ensure pause menu is removed from UIPageController stack
+            // and properly hidden, regardless of pause state
+            if (UIPageController.Instance != null && UIPageController.Instance.CurrentPage == this)
+            {
+                UIPageController.Instance.PopPage();
+            }
             
-            if(isStartingLevel)
-                HidePauseMenu(false); // Ensure menu is hidden when switching to a game level
+            // Ensure pause state is cleared
+            if (GameManager.Instance != null && GameManager.Instance.IsPaused)
+            {
+                EndPauseSideEffects();
+            }
             
-            Logging.Debug($"[PauseMenu] Setting pause menu active: {!isStartingLevel} for scene: {levelName}");*/
+            // Hide the menu UI
+            if (pauseMenuPanel != null) pauseMenuPanel.SetActive(false);
+            if (canvasGroup != null)
+            {
+                canvasGroup.alpha = 0f;
+                canvasGroup.interactable = false;
+                canvasGroup.blocksRaycasts = false;
+            }
+            gameObject.SetActive(false);
+            
+            Logging.Debug($"[PauseMenu] Cleaned up pause menu state for scene: {levelName}");
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -246,6 +263,18 @@ namespace UI
         /// </summary>
         public async void ExitToAppleHills()
         {
+            // Pop from UIPageController stack before switching scenes
+            if (UIPageController.Instance != null && UIPageController.Instance.CurrentPage == this)
+            {
+                UIPageController.Instance.PopPage();
+            }
+            
+            // Ensure pause state is cleared
+            if (GameManager.Instance != null && GameManager.Instance.IsPaused)
+            {
+                EndPauseSideEffects();
+            }
+            
             // Replace with the actual scene name as set in Build Settings
             var progress = new Progress<float>(p => Logging.Debug($"Loading progress: {p * 100:F0}%"));
             await SceneManagerService.Instance.SwitchSceneAsync("AppleHillsOverworld", progress);