Chapter Text
It was another sunny day as the young college student packed her belongings and prepared to take the trek from Celadon City back to her home in Lavender Town. Her mother would expect her soon; she had work to do in the tower today. Several people needed her family’s services, including poor families.
Taking her hair out of its tight bun, she put her bag on the rack inside the home, slipping off her shoes at the home entrance.
“Mother?” she called out into the empty-looking house. “Mother, I’m home.” She called again, closing the door behind her.
A soft voice responded down the stairs to Anita, “There you are, darling. Get changed. The family’s service will meet us in half an hour in the tower.” She was brushing her hair to a lovely feather look that made her look stunning.
Anita was the spitting image of her mother. She had a darker skin tone and dirty blonde hair, much straighter than her mother. Her eyes were a beautiful glimmer of blue, which she got from her father.
It took Anita no time to get dressed and join her mother. After the mourners left, They would put another poor Pokemon to rest inside the tower, which would be her first time traversing the tower's stairs by herself. It would be Anita’s job to lay them to their final rest and arch the tombstone up. Then, after that, they could visit their departed friend any time they wished.
———
After the funeral, Anita bowed to the family and took the box from them; inside was precious cargo, after all. Her mother consoled the family as Anita went up the stairs to the sectioned-off plot on the third floor.
“Alright, little friend, let's get you nice and comfortable.” she hummed as she opened the box. Inside was an undersized butterfree, the poor thing. It was the tiniest little flyer she’d yet helped. Humming to herself, Anita set the box down and opened the tomb they would be lowering.
She had lots of practice with pokefamilies who wanted an at-home ceremony, so this was a cakewalk.
Only a shiver went up her spine this time, causing her to pause and look around the empty room. Naturally, she thought, this old building had so many little souls resting here; it was to be expected. Turning back to her job, Anita gently lifted the small Pokemon and placed it into its tomb. Anita decorated the little tomb with flowers and tied grass knots. After placing the lid on the little grave, she lowered it into the open space on the floor.
That’s when she felt it again; Anita realized she wasn’t alone. Her heart rate started to increase, but she knew better than to run. What a time to have no Pokemon of her own; she felt very vulnerable.
Backing away from her finished work, she gathered up the little box and went to one of the windows. Curious, this one was broken out? Peering out the window, she took a deep breath and returned to the graves.
Only she was met with the biggest grin and solid red eyes, making her scream in surprise and back up quickly, only to overbalance herself and fall from the broken window. The last thing she saw was the box containing one more flower before everything went black for her.