🎸 : “The forest can be really dangerous, you know... I'd almost feel responsible for you two if anything happened. And I'm sure grandpa would think the same...”

Lachie looks to Yuki, before giving a thoughtful sigh.

“We don't really have anywhere else to go. Ilex Forest is our best chance at”

》

🎸 : “O- oh, no, it's okay, really! I actually enjoyed having visitors! Especially without having to worry about specialty Pokeballs for once...”

Maizie pours both girls a cup of tea, hands the steadiest they'd been the whole interaction.

🎸 : “But... are you both really going back out there?”

》

Forest Guardian..? That just screamed legendary, maybe even mythical Pokémon. You can't be in the scientific community of the Pokémon world without knowing of certain powerful, individual Pokémon.

“A guardian..? Maybe what happened to me was-”

Oh! Teddiursa calls out to Maizie from the

》

there's a flash of recognition.

🎸 : “Now that I think about it, though... you two walked right out of Ilex Forest, didn't you? Like you walked out of a fairytale. I wonder if the Forest Guardian might have something to do with this...”

Maizie listens to both individuals stories, brow furrowed in thought as Teddiursa plops a bag of tea leaves on the counter behind her.

🎸 : “I'm not really sure what... most of that meant, Lachie. I'm sorry. I'm not much of a scientific. That's more my dad's thing...”

Though, looking to Yuki,

》

🎸 : “You two... aren't from around here, are you? I don't mean to be rude, but, I don't think I've seen anyone like... either of you before.”

Maizie asks, leaning against the kitchen doorway.

🎸 : “Can we start from the beginning? As much as you both know, anyway?”

Her hand found its way over to Yuki's again. Lachie herself doesn't know exactly why.

“We... we really need help, I think.”

The girl nods, making her way by the two to the sliding back door, taking her shoes off before entering. Teddiursa lingers behind for a moment, waving the group inside!

“I second that. Neither of us recognize the area. Well- sort of...”

It really wasn't that easy to explain. Not without the risk of sounding mad, or confused.

🎸 : “Uh... no Pokeballs..?”

The girl finally looks over the two, properly. Neither of them were local, clearly, but their clothes...

》

Maizie Carver, 17

Kurt of Azalea Town's granddaughter. She takes care of the house and her grandfather's Slowpoke whenever he isn't at the house.

While she lacks confidence and is quick to stress, she means well, and is equally as quick to help others.

a year or two younger than Yuki, stands suddenly from a little workbench she had been cleaning before the group arrived.

“Um! Sorry! Grandpa isn't home right now! He... hasn't been for awhile. I- if you're looking for specialty Pokeballs, I'm afraid I can't help you...”

She seems high-strung...

It waddles its way out back, with Axolotl following close behind, either out of interest, or just the fact it was a new face.

Lachie looks to Yuki, then sighs, following behind the group.

“Hmn? Oh, there you are Teddiursa! Were you off collecting berries agai-”

The young girl, likely only

》

'Wielder?' The girl was speaking more terms she just didn't understand. Wasn't that something from... history? Wait- she's read about those before...

“Y- yeah. Please, little one. Uh... Teddiursa.”

‘Teddi!’

The bear cub waves them over with an arm, still licking at its paws. Adorable...

》

Lachie doesn't pay it much mind, calling Axolotl so he doesn't wander off. An 'Apricorn' tree? She'd heard of berry trees, but, seems like that was a question that could wait.

“Ax, c'mon bud!”

“Woo? Woopah!”

...if she was lucky, maybe the residents would be willing to answer a few questions.

》

waving at the two and their partners as they walk through.

Soon enough, after their eyes adjust to the sunlight, they arrive in... what should be Azalea Town.

Though, in Lachie's eyes:

“This... doesn't seem right.”

At least, a picture of it from when she was younger.

“This is what my home looks like, for the most part. This place specifically is called Castelia City, the City of Grandeur.”

She sighs, reminiscing already.

“...the gem of our region.”

She goes to start her trek through the forest, before taking notice of a small... shrine?

...this wasn't a wild-zone.

The realization hit her like a freight train- keeping her locked in front of the mysterious shrine for what felt like hours, with only the sounds of the forest to keep her company.

With nothing but her TEC Unit, containing a near limitless, living supply of Terastal Energy stored within, and her partner Axolotl, she wanders the old world she's found herself in, attempting to find a way back home in this snapshot of history.

Mun :