Fine rain, thin as needles, slanted across the bluestone streets of Lavender Town.
Dongshu hurried into the little shop on the corner with the wooden sign that read "Ancient Soul House," leading Gastly, Wartortle, and Happiny, with Suicune following behind.
As he pushed open the door, a wind chime jingled, and the shop was filled with the gentle mingled scent of sandalwood and earth.
The white-haired old woman looked up, her clouded eyes crinkling with a smile. "A young Trainer traveling with Pokémon, are you? The rain is heavy outside. Come in and rest for a while!"
Dongshu bowed his thanks. He gently settled Gastly on his shoulder. Wartortle tucked in its head and rubbed against the back of his hand, while Happiny obediently lay beside him. Suicune stood quietly to one side.
"Thank you, ma'am. Sorry to trouble you."
"It's no trouble." The old woman smiled and pointed toward the seats for guests, then poured everyone warm tea in rough clay cups. "Lavender Town's rain always comes down so suddenly. Are you passing through, or are you heading to Pokémon Tower?"
Dongshu took a sip of the hot tea and nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I want Gastly to train here, and I also wanted to look around. I heard from the townspeople that Pokémon Tower is a cemetery for Pokémon, and that many Ghost-type Pokémon live inside?"
At that, the old woman sighed and pointed to the spired building hidden in the rain outside. "That's right. That tower has stood for over a hundred years. Generation after generation of Pokémon has found their rest there. Countless Pokémon souls slumber in the crypts beneath the tower. They guarded this place, and over time, they became Ghost-type Pokémon—the masters of the tower."
She paused, her gaze falling upon Gastly on his shoulder.