Scene 8: The Noble Town
Mr. Fuji and the town locals celebrate Lyrik's 5th birthday. It's the start of the summer and the forest is warm, but everyone is still enjoying running around outside. As a small town everyone knows everyone. The locals feel sorry for Lyrik since her parents have gone. They often see little Lyrik following Mr. Fuji around the town helping the old man with his chores. They've all come to love and cherish the two of them. Rumors have made it around that Melody and Allegro have stopped sending letters to the family. Wanting to keep Lyrik's mind on the positive, Mr. Fuji continues to smile everyday.
One day, Lyrik comes upon Mr. Fuji talking to a group of men wearing black. She puts down the gardening bucket and walks over to the group. She stands on the edge behind a tree in the shadow of the Tower, overhearing Grampa's voice raise. She's never heard him get angry before. It takes a moment for her to notice the baby Cubone in one of the man's hands. He's speaking angrily at Mr. Fuji and Marowak. Mr. Fuji tries to convince them to return Marowak's baby, but the strangers aren't listening. They mention something about wanting to sell their valuable skull masks. Lyrik's eyes cross over the scene, putting the pieces together. This trio of men were Poke'mon poachers and were trying to collect Poke'mon here on the edge of town. One of the men is mocking Mr. Fuji and his idiotic "Noble Town of Lavender." As the conversation starts to get heated, Marowak pounces. She needs to protect her baby. But the other men refuse to let them go so easy. Lyrik watches in horror as Marowak is overwhelmed and killed by one of their men. Lyrik screams, dashing forward. Mr. Fuji sees her and grabs the baby Cubone, snatching up Lyrik and returning to their home. And although he shielded her eyes from having to witness the full brutality of the man beating Marowak to death, she could still hear her shrill cries of pain.
It's several hours later and Lyrik is still wailing. Mr. Fuji kneels down before her and tries to comfort little Lyrik, but there's nothing he can say to make her feel any better. He sighs, looking over to where Cubone is sitting at the window's ledge. He has tears in his eyes and continues to stare off into the distance towards where his mother died. Between the two of them, Mr. Fuji doesn't know what to do. This is his home. But how is he supposed to protect it against thugs like Team Rocket..?