Chapter 55: The Ghosts of Lavender Town Part 3

The quartet ran down the stairs, not stopping until they had safely reached the previous floor. Still shaking in fear, Gary looked back to make sure whatever it was that attacked them hadn't followed them.

"Alright guys, we're in the clear."

"What was that? Was it a Pokemon?"

"Maybe it was a ghost type."

"Or maybe it was an actual Ghost!"

Despite how scared he was, Goh still scoffed at the notion.

"Come on, not that old theory again? I'm telling you that…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Gary dealt him a hard slap across the back of the head.

"Wake up, Goh! Nothing about this makes any sense! We're dealing with supernatural forces here, not some force of logic."

"Alright then, smarty pants, what do you suggest we do?"

Gary stroked his chin in thought, before his eyes fell on the strange symbols on the ground.

"Hmm, I wonder…"

"Don't tell me you actually believe those myths! Maybe there is something weird going on here, but how can carvings in the ground help us?"

"Do you have any better ideas?"

Goh opened his mouth to retort, but closed it when he couldn't think of anything.

"Fine. How are we going to get it down here?"

"I just had to ask."

Goh sighed as he trudged up the steps. The plan was for one of them to lure the monster down to the healing area, which would hopefully either pacify it or trap it long enough to get answers. Unfortunately for Goh, he wound up as bait.

Just as Goh reached the top of the stairs, the radio Gary gave him cracked to life, and Ash's voice came on over the radio.

"Goh, are you there? Can you hear me?"

"Yes, and keep your voice down! I don't want that thing coming after me until I'm ready."

"Sorry."

"Remind me again why I have to do this?"

"Because you drew the short straw. See anything yet?"

"No. Maybe your shrill voice is scaring it away."

"Hey!"

Just then, the air around Goh got colder. Realizing what that must mean, Goh stiffened.

"Here we go."

Sure enough, the mist began to form in the air above him, and the creature emerged again.

"You? I warned you, now you'll pay!"

"You want me? Then come and get me!"

Goh started running down the stairs, the creature snarling before giving chase. At the floor below, the other lay in wait, hoping the plan would work.

"Come on Goh, you can do it."

"Don't worry, Lillie. Goh will manage."

Luckily, they didn't have to wait long, as Goh came running down the stairs, chased by the purple mist.

"Goh, duck!"

Goh didn't need to be told twice, jumping out of the way just as he was about to be grabbed. The ghost, unable to stop itself in time, kept going until it was hovering over the symbols. The minute it did so, a barrier of light erupted around it, trapping it as the energy coursed through it.

"What's…happening…to…Maro….Wak…."

Slowly, the fog began to dissipate, revealing their tormentor to be a transparent, floating Marowak. The Pokemon darted her eyes around, confused until it saw the Cubone hiding in a corner.

"Cubone!"

Immediately, the orphan Pokemon ran up and hugged her, revealing it to be his mother. The Marowak, as if realizing her mistakes, hugged her child gently, tears flowing down both their faces. At long last, Marowak ascended into the air, Cubone fruitlessly trying to reach out to her before she vanished completely.

"Bone…"

Lillie walked over and gave him a hug, making him feel slightly better.

"Huh? Where am I?"

Suddenly, all of the people who had disappeared began to emerge, all very confused.

"How'd I get up here?"

"Last thing I remember, I was paying respects to my Growlithe."

"Aw man, I need to get home."

The quartet watched as the very confused people walked down the stairs, having no recollection of what happened to them.

"Well, all's well that ends well, I suppose."

"Excuse me?"

Just then, an older gentleman came walking over to them.

"Are you the ones we have to thank for our rescue?"

"It seems so, yes."

"I'm . If you're willing, I'd like to thank you with dinner at my house."

"Are you sure? We don't mean to intrude…"

"Please, I insist. It's the least I could do."

Later that evening, the five of them were sitting around the table, enjoying a simple meal. Their Pokemon sat at the ground beside them, enjoying an equally enjoyable meal.

"You're an excellent cook, ."

"Oh please, you're too kind!"

"So, how'd you get caught up in Lavender Tower?"

"Well, you see, I'd heard of poor Cubone and his mother, and I went to pay my respects. I'd heard about the disappearances, but I believed some kind words might help her be put to rest."

He chuckled lightly.

"As you can see, I was wrong."

"Well, you're alright now. That's all that matters!"

"Yes, all thanks to you four."

Mr. Fuji turned his attention to his guests' Pokemon, a small smile on his face.

"I can tell that you take great care of your Pokemon. I'm curious, what are your goals as Pokemon trainers?"

"I want to become a Pokemon Master! Right now, I'm competing in the World Coronation Series to challenge the Monarch, Leon!"

"I want to work towards creating a better understanding between Pokemon and Trainer."

"I'm going to be the next Professor Oak. And not only that, I'm going to be a better Professor than Gramps!"

"Ah, so you're Samuel's grandson! He's always telling me how proud of you he is. And what about you, Goh?"

"I want to be the first person to find Mew!"

When Mr. Fuji heard the word Mew, his eyes widened, and his body stiffened, something his visitors took notice of.

"Mr. Fuji? Is everything alright?"

"Huh? Or, my apologies, just a bad memory. Anyway, no matter what your goal in life is, promise me that you'll always treat your Pokemon with respect."

The quartet readily agreed, but couldn't help but take note of his brief change in demeanor.

After dinner, the quartet had to leave, the long day having worn them down. Mr. Fuji saw them off, but he had one last request for Lillie.

"You want me to take care of Cubone?"

Mr. Fuji nodded, the little Ground type peeking shyly out from behind his leg.

"This little fellow needs better care than we can provide for him here, and I can tell you have a good heart. Besides, I think this little fellow has taken a shine to you."

Lillie knelt down, smiling warmly at him.

"What do you say, Cubone? Do you want to come with me?"

Cubone nodded, then jumped into her arms. Lillie smiled, and gladly accepted him.

"Welcome to the family, Cubone!"

"Bone, Cubone!"

And so, with a new friend in tow, the quartet left for Vermillion City. Mr. Fuji waved them off, before his face darkened.

"Even now, after all these years, my past still comes back to haunt me…"