1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 54: Cliffside Growth

Cliff Edge Gate was quieter than Cianwood's Gym, but a man near the Route 47 exit made sure every traveler heard about the Safari Zone.

"Did you know? There is a Safari Zone just around the corner!" he said. "You will see all kinds of Pokémon there. Go up the stairs, follow the road, and you cannot miss it!"

Ethan blinked after the man finally stopped. "That was one breath."

Kris adjusted her bag strap. "A very practiced breath."

East looked past him toward the exit. "Route 47 takes us there anyway. We keep heading west."

"We're going that way," I told the man. "Thanks for the directions."

He beamed. "Good! Just around the corner!"

Lillie smiled as we passed. "He really does not want anyone missing it."

Smeargle popped out beside East and painted an arrow on the corner of its route map. East nodded at the mark, and we stepped through the gate together.

The land dropped away so sharply beyond the exit that everyone slowed.

The sea spread far below, dark blue where the cliffs shadowed it and silver where sunlight struck the waves. The road curved along the rock face, sometimes broad enough to walk together and sometimes narrow enough that we naturally formed a line. Wind rushed upward carrying salt and distant Wingull cries.

Espeon moved closer to Lillie and kept to the inner side of the path. "I do not like how much empty air is beside us."

"Neither do I," Lillie answered softly, resting one hand near Espeon's back.

Pikachu crouched lower on my shoulder and stared at the loose stones ahead. "Stay away from the edge, Ash. Some of those rocks are moving."

"I see them," I whispered.

Togetic floated beside Lillie but kept lower than usual in the hard wind. "I'll stay over the path. The wind keeps pushing me toward the water."

Lillie nodded. "Stay close, Togetic."

East moved ahead and checked the next bend. "Stay near the inside when it narrows. If something attacks, keep the fight away from the drop."

Reisa released Azumarill when the ground became uneven. Azumarill tested each uncertain step and waited whenever Reisa fell a few paces behind.

The first stretch forced us to move slowly. East called out loose stones, and Smeargle marked safe turns with small paint strokes that dried almost as soon as they touched rock. Pineco remained in its Poké Ball until the road widened enough that I stopped worrying about someone bumping it over the side.

The route bent past a waterfall spilling from the upper cliff. Spray crossed the bridge in short bursts whenever the wind changed, leaving the stone slick. Ethan started across first, but Kris caught the back of his jacket when his shoe skidded.

"I had it," Ethan protested.

"You had one foot in the wrong direction," Kris answered.

East crouched near the bridge and watched the water run over the stones. "The center is worn smooth. Use the rougher strip beside the railing."

Smeargle immediately painted three short marks along the safer line. Reisa followed them with Azumarill beside her, and Lillie kept one hand near Togetic whenever a gust pushed the little Pokémon sideways.

Below us, the lower parts of Route 47 disappeared toward the sea. I could make out another waterfall farther west and dark openings cut into the cliff. The map made the route look like one line, but from here it was obvious that the mountain stacked several paths on top of one another.