[Coolshaymin]

Yellow of the Viridian Forest, a name she still goes by in length for some reason, walked back and forth in front of a desolate looking building, especially compared to the apartments around it. It looked like some kind of large toy store and crafting facility for puppets, except long abandoned. There was a a sign above the door reading "Pup-----m's Pup--t Em-pori--", though it was so withered that it was so hard to read. No one seemed to have maintained this place in decades and that was suspicious in itself given that the Life Sphere was not that old to have a building abandoned this long. Who even put it here? Yellow could not say but she could feel a Pokemon's cries inside so she had to ignore her better judgement for now. If a Pokemon was being threatened by a place she dare not tread, then she'd hate to just leave it be.

Yellow came in her Yellow Dress and without the hat, but she still had her belt that kept her Pokeballs around her waist. While she would of preferred to be wearing the usual getup, Omny was back home washing it with the others. Chuchu was watching the girl pace in nervousness, just idly watching her walk back in forth in front of the building. She hoped some good people got the memo and address she left. Kitty was flying around, as carefree as usual, seemingly unbothered about the situation, though Yellow could feel what no one else can. Kitty was nearly as anxious as her and not in the usual sense. She must sense the dread too but was playing to try and get it off her mind, suddenly divebombing Chuchu to nuzzle her. "Hey, Kitty, no! You know nuzzling Chuchu is dangerous! Her cheeks could zap you on accident if you startle her like that!" the girl of the forest called to her Pokemon before it made it's move, the bug fortunately stopping.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Yellow? I don't really know your whole supernatural sense thing well but what if this Pokemon is harming towards human and not in danger? I don't want us getting a team hurt for nothing you know..." Randy voiced in worry, Yellow by herself being the only time he'd really voice this. "It's alright, Randy. I don't sense any hostility.... More like.... Jealousy?" the Yellow Trainer said after a moment. It was true, she did get a feeling of jealousy bit also a cry for help. She was nowhere near close enough to get a clear reading of the wavelength so no real telling. However, the sense of danger was still clear to the Pokemon she sensed. ".... That doesn't sound much better to me, kid. I guess I will have to trust you thought this through though. Why did you even bring me along, anyhow? Wouldn't Gravvy be more helpful?" Randy asked, giving in, not really wanting to argue with a girl. He was not that far.

"Of course I need you, Randy. Your nose is very helpful for a human," she tried to dodge the question but the look on her partner's face told her he was not satisfied if the feeling of so was not enough. "Alright, it's because Gravvy refuses to battle anymore. I can't force him. You and Chuchu are the only ones that like to fight to begin with," she reluctantly answered. ".... What about the Butterfree?" "H-he kind of just goes with the flow regardless. Kind of hard even for me to read him sometimes...." The two continued to talk while they waited for allies to show up, Kitty taking to chasing Chuchu around in circles.

[TartoonHand94]

“Char!” The roar of a mighty dragon thundered down from the sky as the flap of its wings heralded its descent. It wasn’t just a dragon, it was a Pokémon; a Charizard, that landed with a heavy thump.
“Zard!” The Charizard roared again as its trainer jumped off its back. Stretching its massive wings one more time, the Fire/Flying-type was called back into a pokéball, unveiling the trainer behind it.

It was none other than the former Champion of Kanto himself, Red of Pallet Town. In ignorance of whatever celebrity status he may have garnered over the years, the serious look in his eye made clear he was here strictly on business.After adjusting his flight-loosened hat, he looked up at the abandoned toy store.
It was desolate and decrepit despite not being deserted nearly long enough to be. It was a clear sign Ghost-Type activity.

“…!” When his eyes arrived at the entrance of the building, Red froze as if he had seen a ghost. A ghost back from his past. Doing a double take short of wiping his eyes, they were correct.
Surrounded by a Pikachu, a Butterfree and a Herdeir, pacing the floor in the same yellow dress he had seen her in last, it was Yellow. Despite missing her hat, the way she interacted with her Pokémon was enough to tell Red she was just as gentle and kind as he remembered her. How far she had come from that first Ratata.

In the time it took to walk up to her, Red hadn't gathered the words to describe how he felt seeing her again after all these years.
In leu of an awkward reunion, he merely tipped his hat in acknowledgement of her. He second guessed so much as a handshake before turning his attention back up to the sign above the door.

[Mari]

And then, fashionably not late, a strikingly pretty young lady marched into the room with a flourish of her luxuriously long hair. Her eyes slowly drifted riiiiight on over Red before stopping at Yellow. "...Did your dog just talk?" Valorie asked, her tone a mixture of bewilderment and curiosity. However, realization soon set in and a bright smile crossed her face. "--Oh! You must be Yellow! My name is Valorie. I'm a friend of Blue's. I really like your dress~! It looks really comfy, and cute." Valorie quickly added, beaming slightly. How many other short, cute blondes with talking herdiers was she likely to come across?? This had to be her, just as Blue described her. She seemed very amiable. Yellow might recognize that sweet look in her eyes from the way Arle looked at her, full of fondness and fully relaxed. Though she looked to be a fashionista like Blue, she seemed to be noticeably less of a smooth talker or aloof. After introducing herself, she gave the party a second look around. Who was tall and brooding over there? ...Ah well. He was probably quiet because he didn't want to talk to her. Better not pay too much attention to him and give him the impression she was needy. She was too cool to need attention from everyone! Yeah!

"So where do we start~?" Valorie leisurely asked

[Coolshaymin]

"I guess not everything is easy for a master psychic to underst-!" Randy began before his ears picked up something. Dog eating fire breathing dragon at 12 O' Clock! The cowardly canine human hided behind his psychic master as a Charizard came flying in... That Charizard felt familiar but it couldn't be- "Red?!" the girl suddenly called out as she picked up on the thoughts of the Charizard. There was no mistaking it. The friend she has not seen in so long. After Blue beat him in the league she has not seen much of him, especially after he began touring the world with Green to challenge others while she stayed in her home in Viridian Forest. "... It's really him..." "... Wait, you know, Red?" "He helped me once and I fought with him and against him a few times on our adventurers to strengthen our bonds... I could never beat him though. I always had to use my power to strengthen my own Pokemon to match him." ",.. So you only stand a chance at winning by using your magic to cheat, gotcha..." The Herdier figured out... Wow, he was sure getting confident around Yellow to sass her like that.

"It's so good to see you again... Red?" Yellow began before noticing something was weird... Man, Red was... super stoic and quiet... Did... something happen? Yellow debated taking a peek into Red's head but at that moment another girl showed up... A stylish girl. "Randy is a... special dog," she explained to the new face. "B-B-Blue told you about me?" Yellow asked, her face steadying growing red. What was she saying about her? She hasn't talked much with Blue lately... She has been recovering from... traumatic experiences quite a bit. "Th-thank you... I am trying to... get used to wearing them again..." the girl stated, growing even more flustered and nervous. Why was she the target of such flirts? Still, it was nowhere near as bad.. or good(?) as Blue.

Randy however began hiding behind Yellow pretty much as soon as Valorie entered. "Huh?" Yellow looked back to Randy having regained enough sense to notice his apprehension. "He's also really nervous around girls. He's gotten used to me but he tends to quiet down around others..." Yellow explained before Chuchu ran toward the door to the buidling. "Oh right! We should probably hurry! No telling why that Pokemon is crying out!" Yellow called out before moving to go inside of the Puppet Store... which was unlocked it appeared. Though the psychic girl mentioned crying, the other two would hear nothing... Though both of them might already know why, especially Red.

The inside of the shop showed some decay but not as much as the outside. The front of the store held a counter with a register that was making a... very strange ticking noise. The back wall was lined with a bunch of life size puppets of Pokemon. These Pokemon being a Pikachu, Snorlax, Golem, Herdier, Charizard, Omnastar, Dodrio, Tyrantum, Dragonite, Butterfree, Espeon, Lapras, Ivysaur, Squirtle, Deerling, and Raticate. Notably there was four gaps in the line of puppets. The front window, which was obscured by grime held a few puppets, these instead being ones based on Champions from all the regions... except Kanto. "... I guess whoever lived here was from our world..." Yellow deduced after Kitty flew in the door with Kitty running after him and Randy cautiously following Yellow.

There was not really much else of note in this room aside racks of various clothes meant for puppets of all, but mostly big, sizes. There was three doors in this place. A backroom behind the counter and two on it's sides. One labeled the Basement and one labeled the 2nd Floor. ".... I... can't sense it's cry for some reason... We should look around... together!" Yellow suggested, hastily adding that last part so no one suggested splitting up.

[TartoonHand94]

“…”
As if to save him from explaining himself, a new distraction arrived. Oh right! There was another person’s name at the sign up. Red looked in the direction of the voice but had to look down to find her. The voice and the perfume smell came from what looked like a Youngster dressed like a Lass. Her hips, however, gave away that she was older than she was tall. With all that self-decoration she must’ve been one of those prissy Contest Trainers, no doubt. She did know this what kind of mission this was, didn’t she?
“…!” A friend of Blue’s? That explains the fashion sense. So, Blue’s here on Li too, huh?... Red could only clench his loose hanging hand into a fist. He didn’t want to bother asking her about Blue until this side quest was over and he could rearrange his team to be better suited for a rematch.

Either way it was finally time to head in and get on with his already. Stepping in much more cautiously than the eager girls, Red squinted and scanned the room carefully. He was fully aware that any first step he took in here could trigger something wild to jump out. Even though it sounded too quiet for that, Red knew better. His ears did pick up a strange ticking noise from the cash register. Looking in that direction he found what appeared to be life sized Pokémon puppets.
How quant that there were puppets for all six of his team. And at the window there were puppets of humans. He recognized them. They were the Pokémon champions of the regions from Alola to Shinnoh, all the way to…Johto?
“…?” That’s odd. Where was his? Or Green’s? Or Blue’s? Oh well. It’s not like he was so easy to track down for permission to use his likeness anyway.

Pondering whether or not to do anything about that cash register noise, Yellow suggested they looked around together. That was never Red’s style, but it was a safer bet than splitting up. What if something were to happen to these two? The blonde one did look like good monster bait…

Red put his hand on Yellow’s shoulder and nodded, agreeing that they shouldn’t split up. He then directed her attention to the cash register. It must not have been making a noise for nothing. Picking up a stick he had collected from outside earlier, he inched up to the register and poked it. He was on guard, for he was expecting to activate something.

[Mari]

"Oh yeah~" Valorie replied, only to realize that what she'd said was odd rather abruptly. "Just a little bit, y'know? Good things. It's nice to finally meet you." Valorie went on to reassure the other, attempting to comfort Yellow. She then glanced down at Randy. "...I heard about Randy too." Valorie added, flashing Randy a mischevious look. "...Good boy~" she went on to remark, raising her hand to stifle a little giggle of amusement. One got the impression that she might already know what made Randy special.

Hurrying to follow Yellow, Valorie quickly found herself distracted by a dragonite puppet. The ticking sound was lost on her, as she promptly assumed it was the ticking of a clock. This puppet though! "Ooh, a dragonite~!" Valorie softly cooed, gently patting the puppet's stomach since that was about where she was at, size wise. "They've got some pretty okay taste in dolls~! I'd probably take some home with me if they weren't so big..." Valorie thoughtfully remarked, becoming easily distracted it seemed like. However, she promptly chimed back in when Yellow lamented her inability to sense a cry. "Huh? ...Do you think they passed out?" she asked, not questioning Yellow's powers at all and instead offering a plausible explanation. 

Valorie Ryder 155 / 155 HP 50 Shield Status: Normal

[Coolshaymin]

"I-it's fine. It's reassuring to know she would talk about me... I've been meaning to talk with Peach more about joining the Society but things keep happening..." Yellow replied as she went to look around the front room. "Well, if they did pass out it would be harder to read their mind from here... Still, what made them pass out if that was the case? Either way it will be harder to track them now... And... I feel like something is weighing down on my mind... It's kind of hard to describe... but I have difficulty even hearing Kitty and Chuchu's emotions..." she replied to Valorie, holding her head. She had a bit of a headache she did not feel outside. And she was feeling a bit warm. Though she seemed to be the only one getting this reaction. Yellow did not question the fact she was not really questioned much. Maybe Blue told her, didn't really matter, it's not like she had much reason to hide it on Li. With how many people had special powers it's not like she was that different.

"... Wait... What's that...!" Yellow seemed to notice something as Valorie admired the puppetry. She quickly moved to grab Valorie's arm and pull her towards herself, not really giving it too much thought, hoping she was able to as the Dragonite puppet suddenly swung it's arm in a gripping motion where Valorie would be if Yellow did not manage to pull her way. "... I felt a strong sense of hunger suddenly... Sorry, I acted without thinking..." Yellow stated as the Dragonite Puppet went back to a motionless state. ".... Well, nice to see that there was no wasted time on booby traps... But the way, notice how your whole team is here, even the 'good boy', Yellow?" Randy pointed out as he looked at them. "Yeah, but that is probably just... Wait... Red's team is here too!" she noticed. Okay, now that made it a bit more strange. "... Valorie, you don't own a Dragonite, Deerling and Tyrantum, do you?" she asked. Honestly, the whole thing seemed a bit too coincidental now that Randy mentioned it. Still, the fact the Dragonite seemed to be a trap for Valorie could be a thing...

Deciding to leave the girls to ponder that, Randy walked over to the silent man in red poking a cash register with a stick. ".... 5.07? Did somebody forget to reset it?" Randy asked, not really expecting the tallest person here to answer. That was the number on display on the cash register and the keys did not seem to want to register anything else. The mysterious ticking sound was still a mystery. Kitty meanwhile was messing with the doors with Chuchu constantly calling for her to stop touching things... Only the Backroom seemed unlocked.

[TartoonHand94]

Red would have shown a bit more concern for Yellow’s headache, but none of it was unexpected. Psychic types are weak to Ghost types, and her impeded telepathy was clearly a natural result of high Ghost activity. This only meant that he had to find them and catch them sooner for her sake.

After a preliminary poking with a stick, the cash register didn’t seem to trigger any traps. Deeming it safe to touch, Red then inspected it and its keys. They didn’t seem to register a change on the price sign. Maybe at the least it had some spare pokédollars left inside…
“…?”
A third voice in the room caught Red’s attention as his head twisted to look around before looking down at Randy and doing a double take. This wasn’t the first time he had heard a Pokémon speak to him, but this was a rare case of one doing so non-telepathically. How curious…

“…!” But what he said did give Red an idea. He reached down to pet the Randy on his head, but something was off about him. Just from the way the Herdier reacted to his hand, Red picked up that Randy wasn’t exhibiting typical Pokémon body language. A curious specimen indeed… Standing back up at the cash register, he pressed the keys in order. 5-0-7. And waited in suspense.

“…?”
He didn’t wait long, however, as a new development in the room caught his attention. The door to the backroom sounded like it wasn’t locked. His patience had just about run out of patience with this red Goldeen of a clue. Perhaps they’d actually find something more than a dead-end if they explored further into the house.

[Mari]

"Ooo, really~? I can introduce you if you want! She's really nice, and it's nice if you don't mind being around other girls--" Valorie began to offer before being cut off by her own squeak of fright as Yellow yanked her away. She stumbled off balance and clung to Yellow in response. Yellow could feel Valorie tense up as she looked over her shoulder and caught the dragonite puppet moving, a spooked whimper escaping her. She certainly didn't have Blue's composure, and was apparently easy to frighten judging by the way she clung to Yellow like a little kid. "Wh-What--Is that..?" Valorie stammered out somewhat incoherently before realizing she was clinging to an almost stranger and very bashfully bowed her head in an apologetic manner, though she was clearly distracted by something else. "Ghosts..." Valorie groaned out. She hated ghosts!

"Y-Yeah... I do." Valorie softly replied, making a point to stand close to Yellow for her own comfort. She didn't want to be caught oblivious and distracted! She might just follow the other around, trembling gently in the chill of the place for a while. Her leadership qualities, if she ever had any, had gone out the door with the realization that there was something paranormal messing around with them. If there was any one thing she'd learned from doing her research on Pokemon, it was that if ghosts weren't good at murdering people, they'd have all starved by now. Do not mess around with ghosts.

Valorie Ryder 155 / 155 HP 50 Shield Status: Normal

[Coolshaymin]

Yellow could feel the fear coming from Valorie... As if her wanting to stick as close to the girl as possible were not a clear enough sign. The thought of telling her she already met Peach left her mind for the moment. She seemed the most scared... Randy was probably dying on the inside if Yellow did not supply him with courage. "Just stick close to me, okay? I won't let any of the ghosts harm you," she assured... Still, it was weird. She could sense that hunger for a moment but otherwise it was hard for her senses to detect much, only really being viable for those literally close to her. "... And.... um... if you feel you need someone to... hold onto... I'm fine with it," the girl went to awkardly stutter out after a moment. A bit of hesitation,but mostly from how flustering it was than any reluctantness. Still, the fact she owned those Pokemon clearly meant that the ghost here somehow knew their teams, even the ones not currently with them in Yellow's case. But how was it possible they knew all three of them that well?

"...." Randy simply stepped back in silence to the petting. He didn't know where this guy in red's hands have been! He could ruin his shining coat!.. Then again, he could get more baths from Yellow... What was he thinking about again? Still, nothing seemed to happen when he punched in the code. The numbers may of had another meaning, but he did not seem interested in that as Chuchu and Kitty stepped back, well, flew back in one case, to let him investigate the back room. As he opened the backroom, there was mostly just materials like cloth and wood all over the place... And an unlabeled box that was stained red. On top of a stool in the far side of the room that is apparently a storage for materials was a dusty book though it was hard to make out without approaching it. The stained box could also be checked... but would you really want to if this place is heavily hinted to be haunted?

[TartoonHand94]

“…” Disappointingly, there wasn’t much in the back room besides loose materials like cloth and wood all over the place. Or so it only seemed. There was, however, an unlablled box that was stained red.
“...!” Now they were getting somewhere. And on the far side of the room there was a dusty book.

In the choice between inspecting the red stained box and the book, Red felt the book was the obvious choice. Perhaps the book contained some sort of clue of what was inside the box, or more useful still, a warning.

Red tiptoed over to the book and blew the dust off of it before picking it up and opening it.

[Mari]

Valorie was stunned for a moment. Yellow had seemingly come out of left field with an offer to protect her and ... a... request? A veiled request, maybe? She wasn't sure what that hesitation was that she was picking up on, but she got the impression that Yellow was taking charge. After a moment, she meandered over to Yellow and timidly gave the other girl a hug, lowering her gaze to Yellow's chest in a bashful manner. A couple of little pink heart shaped bubbles rose from her head, popping after a moment. The faint scent of floral perfume could be picked up on her person at this distance. The hug was full of gratitude. " . . . Thanks. I'm really scared of ghosts." Valorie softly replied, though most of her fear had been replaced by a powerful feeling of kinship now. It seemed like she responded strongly to touching, as the hug had calmed her right down. After a moment of embracing the other, she released Yellow and moved to take her hand instead. "It'll be a lot easier to stay calm as long as we're together, though." Valorie relented appreciatively. Her long pink nails brushed against the back of Yellow's hand idly. The weren't sharp at all, thankfully.

"Wanna check out the basement or the second floor..?" Valorie suggested, unsure they'd find anything in this particular room. She'd been half tempted to explode that register just to see what was ticking all mysterious like, but right now the love was in the air and she was feeling too pacified to be rash.

Valorie Ryder 155 / 155 HP 50 Shield Status: Normal