Liam was surprised that Vasilio had managed to convince their parents to let them take another journey on their own after their near-disastrous trek to Jadetower City last spring, but he was especially amazed that Mori had been allowed to come along. If they hadn't been after the Limestone Badge—a graduation requirement at Everspring Academy—Liam was sure Mori would still be at home. Liam was glad Mori had gained a few days away from her father's stifling gaze, under whatever pretense. He only hoped the trip wouldn't include any unplanned encounters with Team Power. Liam didn't think Mr. Shaw would take that too well.
As Liam trudged along next to Mori—she had agreed to come only on the condition that she would ride Anastasia, her Bouffalant—he thought about how much they had been through together over the past few months. Liam felt like he had aged at least two years since the year began, but Mori hadn't changed much at all—apart, of course, from the blue streak in her black hair she had somehow been allowed to keep despite her parents' evident displeasure. Liam glanced at the purple Gengar-themed backpack Mori kept slung over one shoulder—the one other burst of color in her completely black wardrobe. He didn't dare look at Mori herself for very long. She was, at least in Liam's considered opinion, the prettiest girl in school, but she also had a sixth sense about being looked at, and she wouldn't hesitate to call him out.
After they had been traveling for a quarter of an hour, Mori surprised Liam by taking off her bulky headphones and turning to talk to him.
"You heard from your girlfriend recently?" she asked.
Liam sighed. He didn't really want to talk about Cass, especially not with Mori, but he decided to answer anyways.
"I got an email from her last week," said Liam, "She's doing okay. She's starting school again the same day we are, but she's had a pretty busy summer. She's already got two badges."
Mori's nostrils flared, but she didn't say anything.
"How long are you gonna keep calling Cass my girlfriend?" asked Liam.
"Last thing I saw you two were holding hands and drooling all over each other," said Mori matter-of-factly, "What changed?"
"Not to mention that kiss she gave you at the airport," put in Vasilio, who was riding next to them on his Gogoat, "That was…"
"There was tongue," said Mori.
Misdreavus, who was floating over Mori's right shoulder, cackled gleefully.
"Look," said Liam wearily, "It's not up to me. I like Cass a lot, but she's in Unova, and there's no chance for us to… well..."
Liam shrugged. This wasn't the first time that they had had this conversation this summer. Mori seemed just as disappointed as he was that his relationship with Cass hadn't worked out. At least, not in the way they had expected.
"Is that you talking or Cass?" asked Mori.
"Both," said Liam, "I think."
"Hurry up, you guys!" called Sylvia, who was about a stone's throw ahead of them, "Less chatting and more walking."
Liam was grateful for Sylvia's rescue, and the friends walked for some time in silence. Liam took the opportunity to admire the beautiful Nanzo countryside along Route 6. It reminded him of their trip to Jadetower in the spring—terraced hills and green valleys on either side, with small farming villages nestled amid glistening rice fields. The morning air was warm, and all around them, Liam heard the scuffling and twittering of unseen Pokemon.
As they approached the Karst Forest, Liam noticed limestone formations jutting starkly up out of the landscape. At first they were small and sparse—just rugged boulders and sharp stones scattered over the nearby hills. But as they neared the formal boundaries of the Karst Forest, the jagged gray stones sprung up like huge and ancient trees, giving the place a mysterious and almost otherworldly feeling. Tiny Pokemon scurried between the shadows of the huge stones; Liam thought he saw a Larvitar peeking out from behind a wall of limestone, but before he could pursue it, it vanished.
"Here we are," said Sylvia, pointing to an enormous limestone slab with ancient characters painted in black and red, "Welcome to the Karst Forest."
They gathered in front of the huge standing stone. Liam felt relieved that their journey on foot was over, but Mori had started to look nervous.
"So… this is a gym?" asked Liam.
"It's not just a gym," explained Sylvia, "It's one of Nanzo's most important cultural sites, a sacred place for Nanzo's ethnic minorities, and a major tourist spot. Hundreds of people visit here every day just to look at the limestone."
Liam had already noticed the surprising number of Nanzonese locals passing them in both directions on Route 10. Some were clearly Pokemon trainers, but even more were vacationing families, excitedly snapping pictures of the beautiful rock formations and picturesque landscapes.
"The gym's pretty deep in the Karst Forest," said Vasilio, "It's a bit of a maze."
"Great," said Mori, rolling her eyes, "Just what we need."
"I'll show you guys the way," said Vasilio, climbing back onto his Gogoat, "There's a Pokemon Center just ahead, right Sylv? Should we meet there when we're done?"
"Sure," said Sylvia, "Good luck, you guys! I'm rooting for you!"
Following Vasilio's lead, Liam, Mori, and Jonah started on the wide cobble road into the Karst Forest. Glancing back, Liam saw Sylvia and Stephanie unloading their backpacks. This had always been the plan; while Liam and the others earned their Limestone Badge, Stephanie and Sylvia would be collecting rock and plant samples for Professor Wort, their school's science teacher. Liam suspected that Stephanie was also on the lookout for new herbal remedies; as an aspiring Pokemon nutritionist, she was always eager for plants and berries to grind with her mortar and pestle.
"You guys want to stop by the Pokemon center?" asked Vasilio.
"Probably should," said Jonah, "I hear Ashima's serious business."
"She is," concurred Vasilio.
Liam and Mori glanced at each other nervously.