Chapter 53: The Ghosts of Lavender Town Part 1

The team had been back in Kanto less than a day when Professor Cerise gave them their next assignment.

"What? Disappeared?"

Professor Cerise nodded, pointing towards the screen, showing pictures of Lavender Town.

"According to local reports, people have been going into the Pokemon Tower, but only some of them returned."

"The Pokemon Tower? I thought that was just some abandoned Mansion."

"It was, but a few years ago a landowner bought it, tore the old building down and constructed a massive cemetery to house deceased Pokemon."

Goh tapped his chin in thought.

"Do you think the ghost Pokemon who lived there before are behind this?"

"Doubtful. Ghost types are known for playing tricks, but none of this caliber. Whatever this is, I need you guys to go check it out."

"You can count on us, professor!"

"Totally!"

Lillie turned to Chloe.

"What about you, Chloe? Are you coming?"

Chloe shuddered, and shook her head.

"Go exploring a haunted tower? Yeah, no thank you. Besides, I want to go to the library to see what information they have on Eevee and her evolutions."

"Evoi!"

And so, after saying their goodbyes and packing what they'd need, the three research associates set off for Lavender Town.

Lavender Town, as they discovered, was a rather somber village. Even from the town entrance, they could feel the air of sadness that surrounded the town. In the distance, they could see the tower peeking out of the fog, looming over them as an ominous presence. Goh shivered in fear.

"Spooky."

"Come on, we're on a mission. Let's ask around, see if anyone knows anything."

There weren't many people in town, and everyone they asked had no new information to give them, leaving them frustrated. However, as they left the Pokemon Center, they spotted a larger than usual building.

"The Lavender Town Volunteer Pokemon House?"

"Do you think they might have an idea on what's going on?"

"Only one way to find out."

Stepping through the door, they found a small rescue center for abandoned Pokemon. A few care takers were going around, handing out bowls of food. One of the caretakers noticed them and walked over to greet them.

"Oh, hello there! Are you here to volunteer?"

"Actually, we were wondering if you could tell us anything about the disappearances going on around town."

The girl sighed, and shook her head.

"Sorry, but I probably can't tell you anything that you don't already know. Mr. Fuji could probably help you out, but we haven't seen him in a few days."

"Mr. Fuji?"

"He's the director of the home. He's a sweet old man, and he created this organization to help orphaned Pokemon find a new home. A few days ago, he headed to Pokemon Tower to pay respects to the Pokemon there, but we haven't seen him since."

"I see."

"Do you want to know what I believe? I think its the ghosts."

"Ghosts? You mean like Ghost Type Pokemon?"

The young girl shook her head.

"No, real ghosts. The actual spirits of the dead, disturbed from their eternal rest."

Goh scoffed in disbelief.

"Come on, actual ghosts? You've got to be kidding me!"

"Goh!"

"What? It's the truth."

The caretaker shook her head.

"Very well, believe what you want to. I'm only sharing my theory."

Lillie sighed, before looking around at the Pokemon under the house's care. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a lone Cubone sitting in a corner, playing with his food.

"What about that Cubone over there? Why isn't he playing with the others?"

Upon seeing who Lillie was talking about, the caretaker's face fell.

"Oh, the poor thing. He's our most recent addition, and well…he hasn't taken it too well. He just lost his mother last week."

"Oh, the poor thing!"

"What happened?"

The woman sighed heavily, before telling the sad story.

"Cubone and Marowak skulls sell for a heavy price on the black market, and unfortunately poachers aren't willing to wait until they die to collect them. This Cubone and his mother got caught up in one of their illegal operations. His mother held them off, giving him just enough time to flee, but she couldn't escape in time. We found the poor thing scared and cold in an old tree hollow. The poachers were arrested, but by then it was too late."

The trio gasped in horror.

"That's horrible!"

"Who could do such a thing?"

"People like that make me sick!"

Their host nodded her head sadly.

"Sadly, there are people out there who only see Pokemon as a means to an end. I hope Mr. Fuji gets back soon, he's always been better at connecting with the orphaned Pokemon than I am."

"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this."

"Thank you."

With that, the trio of research fellows left, Lillie casting one last concerned look at the orphaned Cubone. Once they were outside, Ash turned to Goh.

"You really don't believe in ghosts?"

"Of course not! Ghost type Pokemon are one thing, but the spirits of the dead remaining in this world? Just pure fantasy."

"Oh, so that white hand on your shoulder…that's just my imagination, right?"

Goh jumped, scrambling to brush it off his shoulder, only to realize there was nothing there. Ash was busy laughing his head off, and even Lillie couldn't help but chuckle. Goh, on the other hand, was not amused.

"Dude, not funny!"