A minor distraction becomes a major detour

The path back to Rifure Town brings back memories. Not of the time you lived there as the town whore, of course. You’re more than happy to forget those memories. But it reminds you of your first day as a pokemon trainer. Setting out with Diglett, getting attacked by a bee monster that Professor Stump thought was a pokemon… you’ve definitely come a long way. The nostalgia hits you hardest when you come to an open clearing, the same one where you had your first pokemon battle against some guy with a Rattata. And you won, too!

Perception Check: Passed!

Something distracts you from your memories, though. It’s hard to spot it amidst the grass, yet you could never mistake it for mere vegetation. It’s money! The ethical thing to do would be to return the money to its owner, but there’s nobody around, so your chances of finding the proper owner are pretty low. Looks like the only option is to take it for safekeeping!

Perception Check: Failed!

You walk over to the lost bills, intent on adding them to your meager savings, only to find yourself yanked into midair when a big net scoops you up from below, suspending you from a tree branch above. Wha!? What’s going on, who did this!?

“Wow. It actually worked,” a male voice muses.

“I told you, didn’t I? Impoverished whores will always bend over backwards for some extra cash, and any girl who dresses like that is looking for customers on the street.” Another male voice. Wait a minute, what did he mean by that!? Why does your cowgirl outfit mean you’re running a business!? As you’re trying to solve the puzzle of that insult, the men step into view and reveal their identities with their uniforms. It’s Team Rocket!

You shout, “Hey, let me go you criminals! I’m trying to go back home and I don’t have time for you!”

“Aww, such a shame,” one man coos, feigning sympathy. “We have all the time in the world for you. In fact, let’s get to know each other better. You can even come back to our place! It’ll be fun.”

The net is untied from the tree and dragged across the ground, carrying you along with it. They take you deep through the woods, towards mountains you’ve never wandered near before. You struggle and thrash, but it accomplishes nothing. Oh man, Professor Stump is gonna be so upset…