1x1 Pokétopia Tour (Tala x 122)

[That’s… dangerous. I wonder you all can manage her,] Belle replied.

Eventually, Leon made his way up the wall, seeing there was no easy way getting around it. He and Belle climbed carefully and did their best to watch for Michelle too.

At the top of the wall was a small clearing that gave a great view of the forest ahead. Just below it - via a gradual descent - was a running stream of water and the first post of flags. That was what the compass was detecting.

 

Belle laughed at the banter between the two. If only Michelle could understand what Hao was saying.

Soon enough, Leon was standing with Michelle and saw the view below. It was impressive to see the forest landscape below and the natural beauty of this part of Pokétopia. In the furthest distance, near the ocean, was the view of the Waterfall Colosseum. That was the end goal for sure, but for now, getting the flags was the objective.

"It's pretty, isn't it, Belle?" Leon said.

Belle nodded. [Yup! We don't see this everyday.]

 

As they climbed down on the more gradual side of the slope, Leon replied, “Yeah, I do. I participated in the tournaments back then so I came to the island. But even so, I spent my time at the facilities. If not that, I usually accompanied Maria. Then the pandemic hit.”

By the time they got to the bottom of the rocky cliff, they were in an area with lots of streams and flowing water. There was even the sound of a nearby waterfall.

 

"So the virus impacted you as well," Leon sighed, knowing where Michelle was coming from. "Yeah, even here, a lot of of the tournaments were disrupted, and even now, it still doesn't feel the same as before. Alola league, huh? Seems we're all in the same boat, not being able to travel or participate in events until now. I don't even know if the Alola league back to normal now."

Belle also went to grab some water to make sure her leaves were hydrated.

As Leon watched the Pokémon, he added, "How was Hoenn, anyway? Things back to normal now?"

 

Leon grimaced. "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope they haven't caught the virus. Are they better?"

Belle was then picked up by Leon so that she could save herself some steps. The pair travelled together forward past the streams and eventually reached a more hilling rise where the water was flowing from the higher ground above. Leon opted to step forward.

"This ground looks pretty mossy. Watch your step," Leon warned.

[Seconded!] Belle squeaked.

 

"Well, uh..." Leon didn't know how to respond to that. "I don't keep up with those trends." His thoughts went back to the pandemic which had locked down much of his home city back then. Hospitals were crowded and emergency rooms were never free.

They continued to walk carefully on the moss. "I didn't know you had fans. Are you that famous? I mostly spend my time here at the park - battling and having fun. I'm guessing you have a lot of choice opponents."

After passing by the moss, the trail was a cliffside with dirt and rocks. This was the kind of trail that would genuinely be considered mountain hiking. Leon started to sweat a little the further he walked. This trail was a little steep.

 

(We can run with that)

Unfortunately for Belle, unlike Hao, she didn't have four legs to pull her strength and had insisted that Leon carry her around instead. Belle did not weigh a lot, but not enough to be blown by the wind.

Leon had to muster whatever strength he could to climb while Belle was in his arms. So Michelle had a lot of experience in battling and sounded like an enthusiastic traveller. Either her opponents were really as weak as she said, or that she was just that good. Either way, that wasn't on his mind as he walked further upward. "I suppose you must have your share of fans too," he replied.

Soon enough, the compass began to blink.

 

Belle blushed. [I can't help it. I'm small.]

The compass pointed in the direction along the trail. Soon enough, the trail turned into more level ground and there was a clearing with more flags. There was also a table set up with a Pokétopia staff member distributing the flags.

Leon went up to retrieve one of the flags. "I'd love to stop for a break, but we're against the clock, sadly," he said to Michelle. He took out a water bottle from his bag and offered it to her.

 

Arranged on the table was a digital clock which Leon looked at. "I think we have time. It's just a matter of whether we should keep pushing ourselves or if we should take a break."

[Leon! I'm thirsty!] Belle whined. As Leon chuckled, he offered the water to the Bellossom.

"Okay, where shall we go next?" he said.

 

Leon nodded. "That's a start. Let's try for that."

After Belle and Hao had their fill of water, the party descended to the edge where the water was. An unmarked trail led them around the shore where they could hear waves crash against the side of the island. Leon knew from experience that somewhere along the edge was a miniature mountain where the colosseum was. Perhaps eventually, the trail would wound up there at some point.

Fortunately, there were no rocks on the water below, but the trail could become slippery if one wasn't careful.