Allister was quite confused at the moment. It was good news that the opening of the Gate of the Spirit World hadn't caused any chaos, but how did Mr. Summer know its name?
No, the Spirit World was actually known to many people. Describing the passage connecting the two worlds as a gate was quite appropriate; it was probably just a coincidence.
Thud, thud. Allister continuously tapped his mask with his fingers, trying to calm himself down.
"Are you alright, Allister?" Summer asked with concern.
"Hoo, I'm fine. Um, Mr. Summer, how long has the Gate of the Spirit World been here?" Allister asked.
Summer held up one finger and said, "About a month ago. I took some measures, but the Spiritomb's appearance destroyed most of them."
"A, month? That's quite impressive. Um, I'm curious, Mr. Summer, what measures did you take?" Allister's expression changed quickly under his mask.
"The Gate of the Spirit World opened on a tree. I covered it with purification talismans and placed wooden carvings of Dark-type Pokémon in front of it," Summer answered truthfully.
"Huh?" Allister could understand the first part, but the second part was completely new to him. "Mr. Summer, why did you place carvings of Dark-type Pokémon?"
"It's a traditional warding method from my hometown. You see, Ghost-type Pokémon find it hard to deal with Dark-type Pokémon. They have a natural deterrent effect, which might scare away Pokémon coming out of the Gate of the Spirit World."
"That actually makes sense," Allister silently noted this method and then took a deep breath. "Mr. Summer, actually, closing the Gate of the Spirit World is simple. We just need a new gatekeeper to be born."
"Gatekeeper?" Summer pondered, recalling the giant Spiritomb that had blocked them in the Spirit World. Its strength was indeed formidable, making it impossible for ordinary Ghost-type Pokémon to escape.
"Allister, what kind of entity is a gatekeeper, and how are they born?"
"Gatekeepers are a group of powerful Ghost Pokémon. They ensure that dangerous entities from the Spirit World don't escape into our world."
"Dangerous entities? What if a living person accidentally enters?" Summer suddenly asked.
"A living person? If a living person accidentally enters the Spirit World, the gatekeepers would be even more anxious. Their duty is to maintain the balance between the two worlds, and stopping dangerous entities is part of that duty."
Allister found it strange. Why would Summer ask such a question? Could it be that a living person had entered the Spirit World?!
"Um, Mr. Summer, no one has entered the Spirit World, right?"
"No, no, I was just curious," Summer waved his hand.
Rillaboom, standing beside them, seemed thoughtful. No one had entered recently, but Summer had once ventured into the Spirit World.
"That's good. As for how they are born, I actually don't know much about it," Allister said bitterly. Gengar then whispered something in his ear.
"Huh? An emissary of the Spirit World, the Pokemon of Shadows? We need to summon it for its blessing? But it usually isn't in the Spirit World. The Reverse World, where is that?" Even with a mask on, Allister's confusion was evident.
From Allister's words, Summer learned about the entity in question, a legendary Pokémon, a child of the creator god on par with the time and space dragons, Giratina.
This explained the giant Spiritomb's strength. However, why did it suddenly attack? According to Allister, it shouldn't attack living people.
"Allister, are there any restrictions for becoming a gatekeeper?"
Still immersed in shock, Allister took a moment to notice Summer's question. He slowly answered, "There are none, but if the gatekeeper itself disrupts the balance between the two worlds and fails in its duties, its powers can be stripped, and it can be punished accordingly."
Allister's answer gave Summer a target for the gatekeeper, but the challenge was how to summon Giratina.
"So, the key to solving this problem is how to summon the Pokemon of Shadows."
"Yes, but summoning it in the real world is nearly impossible," Allister explained, holding his hands at different heights. "If the middle part is the Spirit World, then the real world is above it, and the Reverse World is at the bottom."
"There might be a shortcut to the Reverse World, but it shouldn't exist in Galar."
"So, we need to visit the Spirit World?" Summer concluded.
"That's true, but!" Allister's tone grew urgent. "Mr. Summer, aren't you afraid? That's the world of the dead. Ordinary people wouldn't dare to go there."
"Maybe, but with the help of Pokémon, I think it'll be fine. Besides, solving the forest's problems is the ranger's duty, isn't it?" Summer answered calmly.
"Boni!" Ogerpon looked excited, showing no fear.
"Boom." Rillaboom nodded silently. Going there again wouldn't be a problem at all.
"Ordinary rangers wouldn't do such things!" Allister exclaimed.
Gengar laughed mischievously on the side. Allister might not have noticed, but his communication with Summer was becoming more fluent.
"Ahem, ahem, and, it's not just about entering the Spirit World," Allister rubbed his throat, speaking loudly had made it uncomfortable, but he felt unexpectedly relieved. "The key is, we need bait."
"Bait?"
"Yes, something that the Pokemon of Shadows in the Reverse World can sense, something with strong energy fluctuations or something it's particularly interested in."
"Hmm."
Summer pondered. Come to think of it, that monster tablet might finally be of use today.
"I can prepare the bait you mentioned."
"No, how is that possible?!"
"Wait for me a moment. Once I bring it out, we need to act quickly. If we attract dangerous entities, it could be troublesome." Summer turned and walked into the house.
Allister felt he had been more frightened today than in his entire life. What kind of demonic profession was a ranger?
Summer walked to his bed, made a searching motion, then took out the monster tablet. Instantly, Ghost-type Pokémon throughout Sunset Forest sensed its presence.
Gengar widened its eyes, sticking out its tongue in shock.
Summer walked out of the house holding a dark purple tablet and showed it to Allister. "This is it."
"Phew, fine, let's go, Mr. Summer." Allister gave up on thinking.
"I'll take you there. By the way, Allister, who taught you all this?" Summer stepped forward and curiously asked.
Allister followed closely and smiled, "It was Gengar. I can understand Ghost-type Pokémon. Hehe, it became my partner when it was just a Gastly and has helped me a lot ever since."
"Well, it's both knowledgeable and considerate." Summer glanced back at Gengar, who was whistling suspiciously and rolling its eyes.
Gengar seized the opportunity to slip into Allister's shadow, reminiscing about the past. It had once been a gatekeeper but was stripped of its duties and powers for intentionally letting a young soul escape.
That reborn soul... Hehe, Gengar didn't want him to know everything it had done. It was very satisfied with its current life.
(End of this chapter)