Lionel walked at a leisurely pace, stopping and starting in the forest.
A day later, he had left the boundaries of Mt. Chimney and entered the hilly forest on the very edge of Fallarbor Town.
Only Metang accompanied him as a protector; the other three Pokémon were resting in their Poké Balls.
Unlike the dry, sulfurous environment near the volcano, the trees here were lush and green, their branches layering to obscure the sky.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and grass. Occasionally, the clear chirping of birds or the call of a wild Pokémon broke the tranquility, making the forest feel vibrant.
After traversing a winding path, Lionel noticed an unusual commotion at a forest entrance ahead.
A group of trainers dressed in various costumes were gathered in a long queue. Each person wore an expectant smile, chatting quietly in a cheerful atmosphere.
As Lionel approached, he realized most of them were couples.
The girls held maps, chattering about routes, while the boys listened patiently.
Beside the queue, several rangers in dark green uniforms were maintaining order, distributing maps and Poké Balls to participants.
Curiosity piqued, Lionel stepped forward and asked an experienced-looking ranger, "Hello, what event is being held here?"
The ranger looked up, his gaze lingering on the shiny Metang floating beside Lionel with a flicker of surprise. He quickly smiled amicably.
"Oh, you look like a trainer from out of town. It's the weekend, and we're holding the 'Whimsy Forest Love Hunt Event.'"
"Whimsy Forest?" Lionel repeated.
He knew of Spinda, the round Pokémon covered in irregular spots, but he hadn't expected a forest named after it.
"Yes, that's another name for this forest," the ranger explained, pointing to the greenery.
"This forest is home to many Spinda, and over time, everyone started calling it the Forest of Spinda. As you know, the spots on a Spinda are like snowflakes—no two are exactly alike. But in this forest, there's a special Spinda whose facial spots form a perfect heart shape."
The ranger's voice took on a romantic tone.
"We have a legend here: if a couple finds this heart-shaped Spinda, it symbolizes that their love will be sweet and long-lasting. So every weekend, many couples come to participate, hoping for good luck."
Lionel understood now. He glanced at the queue; everyone was clutching maps, preparing to search for the heart-marked Pokémon.
"However, even if you're not a couple, coming alone is fine!" the ranger invited.
"The fee is 1000 Pokedollars for a single person and 1888 Pokedollars for couples. Don't think it's expensive; if you're lucky enough to find the heart-shaped Spinda, you can transfer it to any couple who wants it. Two months ago, a solo participant had incredible luck and earned a considerable transfer fee."
He pointed to a display shelf near the desk.
"After finding it, we award a custom, exclusive heart-shaped necklace and bracelet as a souvenir. Like those."
Lionel looked at the silver jewelry. The pendants were small hearts engraved with Spinda patterns, exquisitely designed.
"However, there is one rule. The Spinda with the heart-shaped mark must eventually return to the forest. Participants cannot use the power of Pokémon to help; they can only rely on their own eyesight."
Lionel understood, but he had no intention of participating.
Being alone among all those couples felt awkward, and he wasn't interested in a search that forbade using his own Pokémon's skills.
He was about to thank the ranger and leave when the man added, "By the way, besides Spinda, there are also Ursaring and Teddiursa living in the forest. But don't worry, they won't attack people randomly."
Hearing "Ursaring," Lionel's heart skipped a beat. He knew they were extremely territorial, especially when raising cubs.
Logically, a forest full of Ursaring should be dangerous for people without Pokémon protection.
The ranger saw his confusion and smiled.
"It sounds strange, right? Normally, Ursaring would attack. But ever since Fallarbor Town started hosting this event, the rangers have been 'communicating' with every single Ursaring in the forest. We've made an agreement with them through battles and exchanges."
"An agreement?" Lionel asked, intrigued.
"Yes. We agreed that the Ursaring would be responsible for protecting the Spinda. At the same time, they work with us to ensure the safety of the participants. In return, their daily food is provided by Fallarbor Town. They've practically gained officially recognized positions from the League."
Lionel found it amusing—humans and Pokémon reaching a cooperative contract. Fallarbor Town certainly had a unique system.
"And also..." The ranger's smile deepened.
"Regarding the Teddiursa in the pack—they joined the game along with the Spinda. Can you guess what role they play?"