Pokémon Horizons: Echoes of the Past AU

Part 4: Forest Walls and Starry Ceilings

After a while of exploring Kitakami (and Friede getting into a fight with a girl named Carmine), everyone headed back to the ship for the night. Amethio stayed up for a bit, thinking. So this is it for him now, huh? Against his own Grandfather's wishes, and fighting alongside the former enemy? Or were things going to change, and he was going to get another chance? But then, he would let Lizzy down, again...

As the sun rose over the horizon, Lizzy and Liko were already up and wandering around Mossui Town, just enjoying the scenery. Suddenly, Lizzy noticed someone. It was a woman who was at least in her mid- twenties with brown eyes, and blue hair with green and blonde highlights, taking photos of a Growlithe. But this Growlithe looked different to the ones seen nowadays, which made Lizzy's eyes widen. To be honest, this girl looked a lot like...

"Oh! Hey there!" the woman said suddenly, looking up from her camera. "I've never seen you two around..what brings you here?"

"Uhh..we're here looking for a rare Pokemon..I'm Liko by the way, and this is Lizzy" Liko said timidly, gesturing to Lizzy. "Its name was Kleavor, I think"

"Nice to meet you both!" the woman replied enthusiastically, before continuing. "My name is Perrin, and this is my partner, Growlithe!" she said while gesturing to the small pup, whose tail was wagging rapidly.

"It's very nice to meet you, Perrin" Lizzy said, crouching down to the Growlithe's level and putting out a gloved hand for it to sniff. "And nice to meet you too, Growlithe"

"Hey, you two said you were looking for a Kleavor, right?" Perrin said while watching the two interact. "That Pokemon is way old, like really old! It's said to have come from a place called 'Hisui', like where my partner is from!"

Growlithe let out a happy yip while Lizzy started petting it, scratching behind its little ears

"'Hisui'? Friede did mention that...and it was spotted here recently?" Liko then asked while Floragato looked at the Growlithe with curiosity.

"Yep! In an area called the 'Timeless Woods', where a bunch of rare Pokemon live!" Perrin replied, while putting the lens cap on her camera.

" Wow, Lizzy, we should tell the others!" Liko said happily

"You can go ahead, Lik," Lizzy said while standing back up. "I'd like to check out the woods first."

"A-are you sure?" Liko asked, looking a little worried

"Yeah, go tell Friede, and Perrin? Thanks so much. We owe ya one" Lizzy replied, before heading in the direction of the woods.

The Timeless Woods were definitely called 'timeless' for a reason. Trees surrounded everything and a river quietly rushed through the woods, creating a serene atmosphere. Lots of Ghost Type Pokemon, like Phantump, Litwick and others lived in the woods, and were roaming around freely. While Lizzy was just walking around aimlessly, a strange feeling of nostalgia hit her as she noticed some Hisuian Basculins and a Basculegion swimming around in the river. It was peaceful..like, really peaceful. It reminded her of the Heartwood back in Hisui. The sights, the sounds, even some of the smells were familiar.

One of the Litwicks tugged on Lizzy's long skirt and she looked down, and then noticed that it was a shiny! Lizzy's eyes lit up as she scooped up the small candle Pokemon.

"Well hello there- aren't you adorable!" Lizzy said while holding it gently

"Litwick!" was all the little fella said, while tugging on her sleeve now.

Lizzy placed the Litwick on her shoulder and continued walking. Oblivious to the fact that she was being watched by TWO things. A Behyeem was perched in a tree, watching, which only meant one thing....the Explorers had caught the Volt Tackler's scent already. The other thing that was watching her, however, had quietly moved on, like it had seen enough for now.