Chaser and the Herald of Spring

Part 2

Returning to Mistralton City, the three teens and their Pokémon caught a train that traveled across the Unova Region before arriving in Undella Town. The open bay and the large villas located around it gave Goh a sense of just how prosperous Unova was. At the very least, they had stumbled upon a big vacation destination. But the beaches were empty, likely due to it being winter and the waters icy cold. He did notice Chloe looking towards the beaches just a bit longer than usual, and he wondered if she maybe wanted to go swimming again.

Spring was starting very soon, and summer wouldn't be far behind it. Maybe he'd have another chance to take her swimming soon.

The path that Goh, Ash, and Chloe had to walk quickly turned from paved road into dirt trail, and even less as they crossed rickety wood bridges and came face to face with waterfalls. Struggling to keep his team within the required limit of six, Goh had his newly caught Cryogonal create stairs of ice near the cliff with their Ice Beam so that the three teens could continue along their way.

Chloe was quieter than usual, but when Goh looked back to possibly see her complaining, he instead saw her looking about with wonder, watching the Pokémon in the trees and the ones running through the grass with wonder. She held her phone in her hands, taking pictures as they walked. As much as he wanted to stop and catch even more Unovan Pokémon, Goh knew that if he was late to meet with Quillon, he could kiss those tokens goodbye, so he continued to press forward, even as the trees continued to gather more and more closely together.

As the treecover began to conceal more of the sunshine than it let through, Goh's phone began to beep with that telltale signal, indicating that Project Mew was attempting to reach him. Goh took out his phone and unlocked it, and a voice began to speak.

"Challenger Goh," the voice said. Goh recognized it as the same voice that was in the drones Project Mew sent out with challengers on missions. "You have arrived in the area. Please present yourself to Chaser Quillon at the shrine ahead and await further instructions."

"Understood," he said, slipping his phone back into his pocket before turning to his friends. "You guys better stay back," he said. "Quillon only asked for me, after all."

Ash nodded and stuck his closed fist out at Goh. "Got it! Good luck, Goh!"

"Pikapika!" Pikachu added, holding his fist in the air.

Goh gave his best friend a nod and met Ash's fist with his own. Grookey also chimed in, grinning and waving his stick.

Chloe, though, frowned, holding Eevee close to her chest. "Just... be careful, alright? I know Quillon can be kind of a jerk, so don't let him hurt your feelings."

Goh tried to laugh it off. "I think earning the tokens is a bit more important than my feelings, but I'll try."

"You better," she warned. "I'm your girlfriend, remember? That means I'm your boss, not him."

"Yes, ma'am," he laughed, relenting. "I'll be back soon."

She sighed. "I know... I guess I'm just nervous for you. Good luck."

"Vui!"

Goh finally turned away from his best friend and girlfriend and made his way up the incline. As he did, he reached his hand over and gave Grookey a scratch, causing the chimp to coo gently.

As he walked further in, it appeared to him that this forest used to be a village, though the condition of the structures meant it was looking long abandoned. He could still tell, though, that there were fields that looked like they were used not even that long ago by humans or perhaps Pokémon with the capacity for farming.