**Bus to Palette Town**<br/><br/>Micah nodded slowly. "It's very relaxing." He folded his hands behind his head. "You know, I've been told that there are a great many songs written for the pokeflute over the ages, and a great majority of them have some sort of purpose. I guess there's even a science to studying ancient songs and finding out what they were for. Maybe you should look into the history of your mother's song. It might have some unique importance."<br/><br/>Micah himself knew very little about the songs themselves save what he'd heard in general about them. He thought it was a fascinating line of study, but never really had time for such novelties. After all, a gym leader had bigger things to worry about than pretty music.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>**Palette Town**<br/><br/>((Angzyn told me to go ahead and move forward with Mewtwo.))<br/><br/>Sometime well after breakfast, Jonathan's car pulled up in front of a slightly modern two story house on a street with a nice slope to it. From the front yard, much of the lower neighborhood was visible, including the once well-traveled street to Professor Oak's old lab. The car stopped, parking at the curb, and Jonathan got out. The passenger side door opened with an echoing clap, and Charity climbed out, taking a moment to survey her surroundings.<br/><br/>She remembered this place well, even though she hadn't been down this way in some time. It brought back fond memories of her early days as a trainer.<br/><br/>Mewtwo was with the two, and Jonathan knew the feline almost as well as Charity did, if only because the two were together so much. He also knew that Mewtwo didn't necessarily have an interest in being outside in the open public for too long, so he led the way to the door and unlocked it, letting the two ladies in before himself.<br/><br/>"Gary gave me the keys this morning, but he had to run. I guess he's going to the bus station to meet Micah."<br/><br/>Charity looked surprised. "Really? I had no idea Micah was coming."<br/><br/>"Yeah, he kind of popped in unannounced, but it will be good to see him again."<br/><br/>"I got the message from Samuel last night." Charity changed the subject as the three went into the kitchen. Jonathan sat down at the breakfast bar, and Charity started laying out the groceries from two bags they had picked up from the store on the way over. She knew the cabinets were empty, and thought it might be good to put some non-perishables in the place.<br/><br/>"And?"<br/><br/>"I'm not really sure what he meant, but I have a bit of a hunch. I was planning on heading to Pewter City this afternoon, with Mewtwo's help. The museum curator might know something."<br/><br/>"I hope so." Jonathan pulled out his gear and started typing a message.<br/><br/>"Who is that for?"<br/><br/>"I'm letting the people back at the Reserve know that I'm coming back tonight. I got a bunch of messages that people were worried the monster attack was from one of ours that escaped."<br/><br/>"Monster attack?" Charity asked, confused.<br/><br/>"Apparently some young boy was killed on his way to Viridian City. They were only able to identify him because his pack was left behind with his ID in it. You didn't hear about it?"<br/><br/>"No. I need to watch the news more, but I admit I was worried about other things."<br/><br/>Jonathan nodded. "I don't blame you. Anyway, I will need to take care of the issues over there, but Micah and Gary should swing by soon enough. How do you like the place?" He asked, gesturing his hands around the room.<br/><br/>"It's nice. Hasn't changed too much. It's nice of Samuel to leave his home to us, but it just deepens my concern for what might have happened to him. With all of his eccentricities, who knows where he's run off to?"<br/><br/>"Maybe he just couldn't take the pressure of his fame and left to go somewhere for the sake of peace in his golden years."<br/><br/>Charity snorted. "That doesn't sound like him. I know he didn't like too much media attention, but he was never one to run away from anything."<br/><br/>"Well, I'll leave him to you. Maybe you should try to call him again." Jonathan glanced at Mewtwo. "And you make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble if she can't get a hold of Samuel. I know how she is, and she won't sit still until she figures out where he's gone, but I don't want her getting into trouble, okay M-cat?"<br/><br/><hr/><br/>**Route 28**<br/><br/>"I'd love to hear it." Samuel assured, getting up to leave the man to himself. "I'll let you be and I'll be back in the morning. Thank you for your help, and the talk. I'll pay you when we get into town tomorrow, and I'll see if I can't fill you in on some of those details you were wanting." He waved to Alphonse. "Goodnight."<br/><br/>The old man would have suggested that they leave and head for town tonight for Alphonse's sake. Risking staying too long in a place where the very ground itself could feel your footsteps was asking for trouble, but Samuel could tell it wouldn't do any good to try to convince the man of any danger. And besides, it was better for Samuel to avoid civilization as much as possible. He knew that his own heart, tainted as it was, was a poison to the very world he lived in. He supposed that the ring that spared his life might protect others as well, but Samuel was gravely afraid to take any chances. To think of what could happen if his own soul became the bridge for pure evil to connect itself to the human population was a terrifying prospect--especially when Samuel knew all too well what the darkness could do to a human being.<br/><br/><br/>Morning came in welcome rays of Gold, and Samuel awoke from his sleeping pallet as usual. It was bad for his old bones, but he told himself he'd get over it, and with significant sluggishness and a good deal of moaning, he got up and made his way back to Alphonse's camp.