15.
Johto, Ahoy!
The trip to Johto was a calm affair.
No one asked Liko any questions, and the few that did were concerned sailors making their rounds on the ship, asking her, politely, if she had hurt her leg and if she needed help, the nurse's quarters were two rights and a left.
Liko had told them she was fine, her leg was fine, it had just healed wrong, but thank you very much.
The girl kept quiet inside her private cabin, holding her pendant in hand, her Pokemon inside their Pokeballs per Serena's advice; Rotom wouldn't catch too much attention but if someone asked about a Sprigatito (and maybe a Squawkabilly) they'll know who to stare at.
None of Liko's Pokemon were natives to Kanto on a good day.
But Liko is scared, a part of her wondering why she's here, so out of her element, so far away from home.
The girl knows she could just grab her Pokegear, make a call, and it would all be over…tell her mother where she was going, get her to pick her up with her unknown friends, put an end to everything before it started.
And she's reminded of the man on the roof, the pain in her leg, the lies, truths, that he told her.
About her grandmother, about her mother.
A perfect life in Paldea while Liko got lost in Kanto.
No, no.
Liko holds the pendant close.
It's suddenly warm, calming her troubled thoughts.
Liko calls Serena the moment she arrives at New Bark Town.
"Sweet! Can you see the mall from the harbor?"
"Uh…no."
"Aww! That's too bad."
"Umm…"
"I think Goldenrod's Department Store will be a better bet if you're thinking of sightseeing, though…but that's enough of that! How are you feeling?"
"...like I want to go back and call my mom."
"You can do it Liko."
"I-I'll try…"
"Good girl! Now, listen…I know this might not be what you want to hear but…something's come up on my end."
"W-what?"
"Don't worry, it's not what you think…I think…so, I got an old friend of another friend of mine to help out. Don't worry, he's the best kind of GPS because he's free!"
"But, but…"
"I know it's sudden, Liko, but you can trust the old man, well, he's not that old, though. A bit rude to call someone old, and that but, what was I saying? Oh, yes! He's a good man. He works from home, and he can be the responsible adult for your traveling trainer adventure!"
"Ah…"
"He'll keep me up to date while I'm busy with things on my end. He promised to call in a bit. Give me a call after he hangs up, okay?"
"...okay."
"Don't you worry a bit about the old man, Liko. He's a better man than most."
The call that Liko was dreading came not even ten minutes later, and shaking, unsure of everything, she answered.
"H-hello?"
"You Liko?" a gruff voice asked from the other end.
"A-ah…yes, sir…!"
"No need to panic kid…I'm too far away to bite. The name's Nanu, and I'll be your guide to the world of Pokemon or whatever…I hope you like walking."