The Gate to the Spirit World is a portal leading to the Spirit World, a realm believed to be the afterlife, where ghost-type Pokémon and spirits reside.
But why is there a gate to the Spirit World in Glimwood Tangle? Summer pondered for a moment and came up with an answer. In the future, Stow-on-Side has a Ghost-type Gym, and Glimwood Tangle is just north of this town. It makes sense for there to be a gate to the Spirit World.
"Leader Eleph, there's something I'd like to ask you," Summer said softly, glancing at Opal with the corner of his eye.
Eleph understood Summer's hint and then said to Opal, "Opal, your Alcremie and Hattrem can learn new moves now, but there's not enough space in the house to practice."
With a troubled expression, Opal immediately responded, "Then let's go outside to train!"
"You're right. I'll leave it to you, Gardevoir." Eleph waved as she watched her daughter and the three Pokémon head out, then turned to Summer and said, "What is it? You've helped me realize my mistake. If I know the answer, I'll tell you."
"Forgive my boldness, but how did your husband pass away?"
"This..." Eleph's face turned sad as she recalled something painful. She sighed and said, "Strictly speaking, he didn't pass away. He went missing. That's why I've stayed in Stow-on-Side for the past two years, waiting for his return."
"I can't believe he would abandon us. After he disappeared, I searched all of Glimwood Tangle, and even Gardevoir's senses couldn't find any trace of him."
"Which means he must have met with an accident and died. That's the best explanation I can think of." Eleph clenched her fists, unable to imagine Simon betraying her. If that were the case, she would show an anger like never before.
"Leader Eleph, can you tell me more details, like where your husband said he was going?"
"He said..." Despite her sadness, Eleph couldn't forget these words, "He was going to look for red mushrooms."
"Red mushrooms?"
"Yes, he said these red mushrooms would change Alcremie. You know, some Pokémon in Galar can suddenly become gigantic, and after eating these mushrooms, Alcremie's gigantification changes."
Gigantification must refer to Dynamaxing, and the changing form of Alcremie implies Gigantamaxing.
Gigantamax Pokémon not only grow larger but also gain unique traits. Alcremie has this potential, so the red mushrooms must be Max Mushrooms.
Where in Glimwood Tangle can you find Max Mushrooms?
[Southwest.]
Where does the Gate to the Spirit World open in Glimwood Tangle?
[Southwest.]
Both are in the southwest! A bold hypothesis formed in Summer's mind. Eleph's husband Simon must have accidentally entered the Gate to the Spirit World, a special portal that only opens at certain times, hence the lack of any trace of him.
"Leader Eleph, can you tell me when your husband went missing?"
Why is this young traveler asking such questions? But from his demeanor, he might have discovered something. Could there be a clue about Simon?
"October 31st, which is four days from now. I'll never forget that date. Do you know something? Please, tell me!" Eleph pleaded. She didn't want to miss any leads.
Hearing Eleph's answer, Summer asked in his mind, when does the Gate to the Spirit World in Glimwood Tangle open?
[October 31st, at dusk, four days from now.]
As I suspected, my guess is likely correct, but the Spirit World is a dangerous place. Should I really tell her?
"You know something. Please, I beg you, tell me! I'll do anything you ask," Eleph pleaded humbly.
"But you still have Opal."
"Opal..." Thinking of her daughter, Eleph's tone became hesitant. He must be reluctant to tell me because it's dangerous.
Bang! The wooden door was pushed open forcefully, and Opal stood outside, shouting, "Please, big brother, tell Mom. It's about Dad, isn't it?"
"Opal, eavesdropping is not a good habit." Summer sighed, covering his forehead. "Fine, it's the Spirit World. I suspect Opal's father is lost in the Spirit World."
"The Spirit World... But isn't that a world only for the dead?" Eleph clearly knew about the Spirit World.
"No, to be honest, I came to Glimwood Tangle to find the Gate to the Spirit World, a magical door connecting this world to the Spirit World," Summer said, giving himself a reason for being in Glimwood Tangle.
"Because it connects two worlds, it's possible for a living person to get lost in the Spirit World. His disappearance time matches the opening time of the gate, which is why I have this suspicion."
"Listen, the Spirit World is a very dangerous place. Ghost-type Pokémon there are almost always a threat to humans. That's why I hesitated to tell you."
"If what you say is true, then Simon must be alive. That's wonderful." Eleph spoke with a quiver in her voice.
"Why?" Summer was puzzled.
"Because mere Ghost-type Pokémon wouldn't be able to harm my husband. I know his strength very well." Eleph's expression was firm. "So tell me where the Gate to the Spirit World is. I'm not a weak, cowardly wife!"
"And I'm not a weak, cowardly daughter!" Opal added.
"Alright. Based on my guess, the Gate to the Spirit World is in the southwest part of Glimwood Tangle."
"Ah, no wonder you wanted to come to Stow-on-Side. It's the center of Glimwood Tangle. But won't we get lost on the way there?"
"Cough... Anyway, going to the Spirit World is very dangerous. We must be prepared, like having a Pokémon such as a Dusknoir." Summer said this because Dusknoir can freely travel between this world and the Spirit World.
"Dusknoir? I understand. I'll make the preparations."
After learning about her husband, Eleph was full of energy. She immediately picked up the phone and started making arrangements.
The next morning, an elderly man in a suit arrived at Glimwood Tangle, bringing a Poké Ball that contained a Dusknoir.
"Miss, you should let go of your obsession. But why do you need this Pokémon? It can't bring back the souls of the dead," the old man advised.
"The dead? No, I'm bringing back the living!" Eleph tossed the Poké Ball into the air, and a fearsome Pokémon with a gray-black body and a single red eye appeared.
According to Summer, the Spirit World is vast, and each gate leads to different areas. Dusknoir can sense information from the corresponding area in the Spirit World.
"Dusknoir, is there a living person in the nearby Spirit World?"
Hearing such a question, Dusknoir couldn't help but laugh. This forest has few people, and the Spirit World gate only opens once a year. What are the odds? Then its expression froze because it received a signal from the Spirit World.
"Finally, a Dusknoir is here! Quickly send this living person back. He's been in the Spirit World for almost two years!"
(End of Chapter)
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