1x1 Pokétopia Tour (Tala x 122)

Leon nodded. "It doesn't hurt to try, I guess." With that said, he continued to wave his shirt in the air until it was dry enough before putting it back on. "Oh, uh, and Hao probably has my hat."

[We should go look for him! Let's go forward,] Belle squeaked, pointing at the cave.

As Leon started walking, he turned to look at Michelle in the eye. "Um... thank you."

 

“Yeah. I’m not making the same mistake as last time,” Leon replied.

[You should hold hands,] Belle joked.

At the sound of Belle’s squeaking, Leon had an idea. “Say, Belle. Wouldn’t it be easier if you covered the floor with leaves? Then we won’t slip.”

Belle pondered a moment. [I guess.]

Belle then littered the cave floor with leaves to make it less slippery. So Leon and Michelle ended up walking forward and searched for traces of obvious paths.

 

There were Zubat, Diglett, Gligar, and even the occasional Misdreavus to be seen inside the cave.

"Oh. You have a Pokédex, eh?" Leon's eyes piqued with interest at the device. He didn't have one himself, so seeing one up close was a first for him.

Belle continued to carefully tread on the floor. But being a grass type, she wasn't worried.

 

Leon nodded. “I see. I didn’t get one, but I think Maria did.” He was amused that Michelle really out her pride as a champion out here. “New Bark Town, eh?”

The cave eventually led to a gap where the sunshine was visible. At the same time, the compass began to blink.

 

(Eh. Don’t worry about it)

"I understand," Leon replied. "Let's go find it."

The cave eventually ended with the gap of sunshine becoming bigger and bigger. Then when Michelle and Leon got to the end, they were momentarily blinded by the sudden impact of sunlight before their eyes could refocus on their surroundings.

The compass blinked more rapidly, to which Belle pointed in a certain direction that was filled with lots of trees beside the ocean. [I think it's that way,] she squeaked.

 

"W-wait!" Leon called out, but it was too late. Michelle had already disappeared into the trees. "You be careful too..." he muttered.

[Really, that girl can be a handful! She doesn't stick together, does she?] Belle crossed her little arms.

Leon found a pathway leading from the cave to the lush forest. He followed the compass where it led him.

 

(Ha, wonder how Hao manages with two bags and a hat)

Leon was worried. He knew that he and Michelle were against the clock on this one, and worse yet was that they had separated. If only he hadn't slipped up earlier! Now, he wondered how everyone would regroup.

He and Belle ventured through the forest again. The next flag had to be around somewhere. Plus, how would Michelle get back? That puzzled him.

 

(Dang. Hao must have lots of muscle)

At first, Leon and Belle the sound of rustling nearby which caused them to stand on edge. Before long, Leon saw a Pokémon fall and then ended up bumping against his legs.

"Huh?" Leon said.

[Hey! That's Hao!] Belle squeaked. She went up to the Umbreon. [Hao! Are you okay?]

Leon then became aware that it wasn't just Hao that had fallen down but also his bag and Michelle's, plus his own hat. "Hao, you okay? You carried these all by yourself?" he said. Along with that, he picked up his bag, hat, and Michelle’s bag and set them aside.

 

(Ahaha good point. Though Pokétopia has its ways of equalizing levels)

[Michelle… well, she went to look for you…] Belle muttered. Then she facepalmed.

“Oh right. Michelle was looking for you. We better bring you to her,” Leon said. Without warning, he lifted Hao into his arms. “You better not walk for a bit. You seem dazed.”

Belle giggled. [Okay. Let’s get going.]

Soon enough, they were on their way through the forest path and followed the compass.

 

Leon felt Hao's head rested on his shoulder and wondered if Hao was either that exhausted or comforted. Either way, Leon did his best to make himself comfortable as he carried the Umbreon. After all, an Umbreon was not light, and certainly not compared to a Bellossom. A given Umbreon would weigh five times more than Belle!

They walked cautiously and continued following the compass through the forest path until they reached a clearing with a view of the ocean in the horizon. Now there was a table where the next set of flags were ready to be taken, and a staff member to administer them.

If only he had Michelle's phone number... but Leon doubted she would let him exchange contacts.

"Okay, let's take five," he said to Hao and Belle.

(I did the math and realised Hao would weigh heavier than a big bag of rice)