Nimbasa Amusement Park was located in the heart of Nimbasa City, a massive amusement park that covered an enormous area.
After buying their tickets, Liam and little N entered the park to enjoy themselves.
Like most amusement parks, Nimbasa Amusement Park was filled with all kinds of attractions. Since it was nighttime, there was also a lantern festival and a parade taking place throughout the park.
Because of his family circumstances and his own personality, Liam had rarely ever gone to an amusement park while growing up. Now that he had the chance, he decided to enjoy the experience to the fullest.
So he followed little N around, happily trying every attraction the park had to offer.
The carousel, pirate ship, bumper cars, haunted house, spinning teacups, and roller coaster...
After making their way through nearly every ride, there was naturally one grand finale left—
The Ferris wheel.
As the Ferris wheel slowly turned, Liam and little N sat together in one gondola. Leaning against the seat, they looked out through the glass windows at Nimbasa City's dazzling golden nightscape.
"Wow.. It's so beautiful! This is the first time I've ever seen scenery like this. Today has been so much fun!"
Little N had practically pressed his face against the glass. Looking down at the magnificent view below, he couldn't help but exclaim happily.
"This is actually my first time seeing a view like this too. It really is amazing. Though... it would've been even better if I were riding with a beautiful older girl instead. Instead, I'm stuck with a little brat. That's the only flaw in an otherwise perfect evening~"
The smile at the corners of Liam's eyes was impossible to hide as he admired the scenery outside.
"Hmph! So you wanted a beautiful older girl to keep you company! Fine! I'll remember that! When I see Sister Delia in the future, I'm definitely telling her exactly what you said! She'll teach you a good lesson!"
Little N jumped off the seat, planted his hands on his hips, with Pidove still perched atop his head, and puffed out his cheeks at Liam.
"Hahaha! I never said anything like that. Even if you go tattling to Delia, I won't admit it. Besides, I'm sure Delia will believe me."
Liam turned around to sit properly, but when he saw little N's indignant expression, he couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Ahhhh! You really are a big meanie! Just watch how I deal with you!"
Apparently provoked by his laughter, little N pounced on Liam with bared teeth and flailing arms. His tiny fists began pounding rapidly against Liam's chest, producing a series of dull thumps.
"Oh no... it hurts... it hurts so much... I'm dying... I can't make it..."
Little N wasn't very strong to begin with. His punches didn't hurt Liam in the slightest—they felt more like tickles.
Even so, Liam exaggerated dramatically, tilting his head to one side and pretending to collapse.
"Pfft! Hahaha! I won! I defeated the big meanie!"
Seeing Liam "defeated," little N burst into laughter. He hugged Liam tightly, rubbing his head against Liam's chest as he cheered happily.
"Hehe, yes, yes. You beat me. Little N is amazing."
Hearing his cheerful laughter, Liam opened one eye. He reached up, gently shooed the Pidove off little N's head with a light pat, then rested his hand on little N's head and slowly ruffled his hair.
Feeling the warmth of Liam's hand, little N happily continued hugging him, allowing Liam to pet his head. A blissful smile spread across his face.
After getting off the Ferris wheel, Liam and little N heard a pleasant melody over the amusement park speakers. When it ended, an announcement followed.
"Dear guests, the time is now 10:00 PM. Nimbasa Amusement Park will now be closing. Please make your way toward the exits in an orderly fashion. Thank you for your visit, and we look forward to welcoming you again!"
As the announcement echoed through the park, visitors gradually began leaving.
Liam joined the departing crowd, carrying little N on his back as he yawned repeatedly, and headed out of Nimbasa Amusement Park.
While walking back toward the Pokémon Center, little N had already fallen asleep.
It was late, and his childish energy had finally run out, sending him into a peaceful dream.
So Liam simply carried him on his back and slowly walked all the way back to the Pokémon Center.
After a good night's rest, Liam and little N were finally refreshed and resumed their journey toward their ultimate destination—
Nuvema Town.
There were two routes leading out of Nimbasa City.
One headed west toward Driftveil City. The other headed east toward Marvelous Bridge.
Since Nuvema Town lay to the northeast of Nimbasa City, Liam and little N chose the eastern route, heading toward Marvelous Bridge.
Once they left Nimbasa City, an enormous forest stretched out before them.
The forest had a rather peculiar name—
Lostlorn Forest.
At first, Liam had wondered why it carried such a strange name. Did it have some mysterious legend behind it?
But after spending some time walking through it...
He finally understood exactly why it was called Lostlorn Forest.
"Uh... this big rock... Well... we've come back to the same place again..."
After circling through the woods several times, Liam looked at the familiar boulder before him, his face filled with helpless resignation.
"Big Meanie? Are we lost?!"
Walking behind him, little N immediately asked excitedly the moment he heard Liam sigh.
Liam: "..."
Why are you so excited about getting lost, you little troublemaker?!
Watching little N actually become thrilled because they had lost their way, Liam covered his face helplessly.
Yes. They were completely lost.
More than two hours had passed since entering Lostlorn Forest, yet neither Liam nor little N had found a way out.
Liam had even opened the system's navigation map. But for some unknown reason, even the direction indicated by the navigation map was wrong!
That left Liam utterly speechless.
This was the first time he'd ever encountered a navigation system that pointed in the wrong direction, leaving him completely at a loss.
"Big Meanie! Big Meanie! What do we do now?"
Still wearing an excited grin, little N tugged on Liam's clothes as he asked.
"...In that case, we'll just fly out. I'll have Garchomp carry us out of the forest."
Liam had run out of ideas. His only option now was to ask Garchomp for help.
However, the moment little N heard his solution, his cheerful expression immediately fell.
"Aww... isn't there another way? Flying straight over it is so boring..."
"..."
Liam was speechless.
At a time like this, you're worried about whether it'll be boring?
"Come out, Garchomp."
Without another word, Liam released Garchomp.
"Grahhh! ...Huh? Grr..."
A flash of white light appeared, and Garchomp emerged beside Liam.
As usual, the first thing Garchomp did upon appearing was let out a mighty roar. But immediately afterward...
Garchomp's entire demeanor changed.
Its eyes narrowed sharply as it fixed its gaze on the large boulder in the distance.
A low, warning growl rumbled from its throat.