I was stunned by the news. I understood the pain she must've felt in losing someone, but now my only lead to finding Meloetta might've been lost again. Kotori looked disheartened by the news as well. She teared at the corner of her eyes and looked to me. I looked back at the old lady. She simply looked down in sadness.
"The whole town is holding a service at the top of the Pokemon Tower. I can't bring myself to go. Too many emotions." the old lady said.
"It's only right for the two of us to go and pay our respects." Kotori said as she took my hand to lead us to the Tower. The old lady nodded as the two of us bowed and quietly walked off. It's tough finding words in a time like this.
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"I met Mr. Fuji once..." Kotori said as we walked. "When I was a little girl, my grandmother and I visited Lavender Town. My grandmother said she had some business to attend to at Pokemon Tower and didn't want me to go inside. Maybe it was too sad for me to see. Either way, she let me stay with Mr. Fuji in the meantime. There tons and tons of Pokemon for me to play with. He even gave me my first Pokemon" she said as she looked down at her Pokeball. Inside, a Marowak smiled back at her. I thought how beloved Mr. Fuji was. And here I only worried about this research of mine. Shameful. Why was I trying to find Meloetta? Was it for my own selfish motives?
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We arrived at the Pokemon Tower. Cries could be heard from the top of the tower. The loss of Mr. Fuji must be a heavy toll on the townsfolk for them to lament this much. No...wait...this didn't seem like crying. It seemed more like terror. Kotori and I started dashing up the stairs. As we stepped onto the top floor, the room was in disarray. The townsfolk were covering their ears in total fright while children were crying in fear. All the while, terrible moans were echoing throughout the room.
"What's happening?" I asked one of the men.
"We were holding a service for Mr. Fuji until these terrible sounds began. Nobody knows where they're coming from and how to stop them."
I looked around the room. The noise didn't seem to have a specific source. It was like it was coming from everywhere at once. I closed my eyes and settled my thoughts. Slowly but surely, auras of the people began clear. But around them was another living energy. Not like a person's aura. Rather, it was like a ball of gas. Gastly? Are they mourning over Mr. Fuji as well?
I turned to Kotori. "Kotori, we need something to get the attention of the Gastly in the room! Something to calm them down!"
Her eyes brightened up. "Gastly? I think I have just the thing," she said as she reached into her knapsack. She retrieved a flute, a Pokeflute, and began to play. The music resonated throughout the room and reverberated throughout the tower. It was wonderful. The screams of the people and the cries of the Pokemon stopped to listen. The beautiful melody united the feelings of both humans and Pokemon as they mourned for the loss of a man who loved Pokemon with all of his heart. Maybe this was the reason I was looking for Meloetta. To search for the bridge to unite people and Pokemon on a precept of peace and harmony.
Kotori finished her playing and the townsfolk clapped for her. The Gastly revealed themselves and voiced their appreciation as well. As the people jumped at the sight of the numerous Pokemon appearing before them, I explained how the Gastly were there to mourn and honor Mr. Fuji the same way the people did. They thanked us and the service continued with both Pokemon and people.
The funeral ended and we descended down the Tower. The heavy feelings still weighed us down as we walked down the stairs. Kotori still clutched the flute in her hands.
"Where did you get such a flute?" I asked to break the silence.
"My grandmother gave it to me. She said it belonged to a Legendary Trainer and has been passed down ever since he disappeared off somewhere to continue his journey."
"I see." I nodded.
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At the bottom of the Tower stood the old lady from before. Her eyes were still stained with tears but she held a gentle smile.
"I heard your music. It was beautiful." she said. Her words held relief. Kotori bowed. "Thank you."
"I may have something that could help you, young man." she said as she revealed an old book. "Before living here, Mr. Fuji worked on a far away island: in the Cinnabar laboratory. Whatever he may have found may be in this book or at that island. Be careful, now." And she walked off.
I turned to Kotori. She nodded back at me. We're off to Cinnabar Island.
[exit to Cinnabar Island]
