In front of the Spirit Realm's gate, the Trevenant's blood-red eye stared intently at the mysterious tablet in Summer's hand. The powerful soul wave it sensed earlier had come from him.
"Hey, it's Trevenant." Allister nodded, his voice filled with excitement. When it comes to forests, one must mention Trevenant, the guardian of the woods.
"That's right. It helped me a lot when I was retrieving Spiritomb's soul," Summer said.
"Makes sense, given it can easily control the entire forest."
Feeling a bit shy, Trevenant scratched its wooden horns with its claws. Born in the Sunset Forest, it naturally took on the responsibility of protecting this place.
"Actually, Trevenant, there's something I need to ask you," Summer's tone turned serious. "Would you be willing to become the gatekeeper of the Spirit Realm?"
Summer then explained everything about the role of the Spirit Realm's gatekeeper to Trevenant. With the power came responsibilities as well.
He laid everything out, respecting Trevenant's choice. Only through this transparency could it make a decision that truly reflected its own wishes.
Trevenant's eye narrowed into a slit. Guarding the Spirit Realm's gate within the Sunset Forest would indeed also be a way of protecting the forest itself.
"Grrraaah!"
"Trevenant agrees, Summer," Allister sensed the determination in Trevenant's response. Its decision was rooted in its love for the Sunset Forest.
"Thank you, Trevenant. Now, let's get ready to go in." Summer moved the wooden sculpture aside and tore off the talisman attached to the tree trunk. Without its restraints, the gate to the Spirit Realm expanded and burst forth with a strange light.
Summer took the lead, jumping in first, followed by Ogerpon, Rillaboom, and Trevenant as they entered the gate to the Spirit Realm.
"Sigh, I wish I were as decisive as Summer... wait, huh?" Suddenly, Allister found himself floating. Gengar, grinning mischievously, was carrying him through the gate. "Gengar, slow down! My mask, my mask is slipping!"
Inside the Spirit Realm, Summer and his Pokémon stood amidst the familiar thick black fog. Although he outwardly displayed confidence, deep inside, he felt a bit uneasy because he knew who they were up against—Giratina.
Summer looked at the Poké Ball in his hand. That's why he brought his strongest ally, Milotic, and planned to send Spiritomb back to the Spirit Realm as well.
Moments later, Gengar appeared beside him, carrying Allister, who was clutching his mask tightly, curiously looking around.
"Oh, so this is the Spirit Realm," Allister remarked in awe. However, he quickly sensed several Ghost-type Pokémon approaching and warned, "Be careful. We've invaded their territory, and they're sure to be dangerous now."
Them? Summer quickly realized he was referring to the Ghost-type Pokémon. Oh, it seems the mysterious tablet is working well. Hopefully, it can attract Giratina.
"What should we do then? Battle?" Summer asked.
"Yes, that's our only option. But don't go too hard on them, Summer. Though, to be fair, they're already dead," Allister replied. "Besides, they're strong Pokémon, so they shouldn't be too fragile."
"Got it. Everyone, our priority is self-defense!"
Despite Summer's words, the three Pokémon encircled him tightly, wary of their surroundings.
"Gengar, to the right!" Allister suddenly issued a command.
"Gengar!"
Gengar soared into the air, spreading its arms. A cold, dark shadow condensed in its hands. It spun around and hurled it forcefully, and moments later, the sound of metal clashing echoed through the fog as a fallen Aegislash hit the ground.
Boom! A Golurk descended from the sky, choosing not to hide in the black fog like the other Ghost-type Pokémon. Instead, it opted for a direct confrontation!
Golurk mechanically raised its massive fist, its head rotating slowly like a jammed gear. Its eyes emitted a strange light, staring straight at the tablet in Summer's hand.
"Want to test your strength? Please, Rillaboom!"
"Rillaboom!"
Rillaboom raised its arm as well, unleashing a vibrant green light to counter Golurk's cold, dark fist head-on.
The powerful fists collided, causing a violent shockwave that dispersed the surrounding black fog. Clearly, Rillaboom had the upper hand.
Golurk's arm flung backward, dragging its massive body down with it. Rillaboom leaped forward, and its drum wasn't just for show.
Another green hammer strike landed on Golurk's chest, accelerating its fall. Its body became deeply embedded in the soft soil, unable to move for a long time.
The Ghost-type Pokémon that had been hiding in the black fog were now fully exposed to Summer and his team. They silently cursed Golurk—this reckless fool had ruined everything for them!
Couldn't it act like a proper Ghost-type Pokémon and just hide in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike?
With the black fog dissipating, many Ghost-type Pokémon began to consider retreating after witnessing their opponent's strength. However, they suddenly found themselves unable to move, ensnared by dark energy-laced vines that bound them to the spot.
Uh-oh, the opponent has a Ghost-type Pokémon on their side too!
"Go ahead, Ogerpon. Don't worry about me; I still have Milotic," Summer said, waving the Poké Ball in his hand.
"Grrraah!"
Ogerpon eagerly charged forward, and the Ghost-type Pokémon watched in terror as this Pokémon, even scarier than a ghost, swung its spiked club at them.
One strike shattered a Sinistea's teapot, another shattered a Chandelure's lampshade, and even a Drifloon wasn't spared as it got deflated with a single blow.
"Is this Pokémon... Dark-type?" Allister murmured under his breath. Beside him, Gengar had already started slacking off. First, because it wasn't needed, and second, because he had arrived.
Suddenly, the entire Spirit Realm seemed to tremble. Dark cracks appeared in the already gloomy sky, and a chilling coldness seeped deep into their souls. A low dragon's roar froze all the Ghost-type Pokémon in place, rendering them motionless.
The Lord of Destruction, the ruler of the Spirit Realm, had arrived.
Giratina flapped its nightmarish ghostly wings. Its golden half-ring ornaments emphasized its noble status, its gray skin signifying death, and the destructive aura hidden behind its dark red eyes. Anything it gazed upon would be obliterated, along with their very souls.
"Human, why have you come to the Spirit Realm?"
As the apex being, human language was nothing to Giratina. Unlike its brothers, who either slept or fought, Giratina had found a way to pass the time—learning.
The memories carried by souls in the afterlife were like an enormous library, granting it access to countless human knowledge. After all, no matter who you are, everyone eventually encounters it.
A certain interest that awakened within it one day gradually made it calm, knowledgeable, and less prone to anger. Fighting was foolish; it wouldn't stoop to the level of humans.
And this was something even Arceus hadn't anticipated.
"Because a new gate to the Spirit Realm has appeared, so we need a new gatekeeper!" Summer responded loudly, unfazed by Giratina's overwhelming presence.
Only then did Allister, who had been too shocked to breathe, finally regain his composure, gasping for air. What a bold move, Summer!
"Permission granted."
Giratina slowly responded. What no one knew was that it might currently be one of the most agreeable legendary beings. Its straightforward answer was due to its eagerness to return to its studies.
Learning brings me joy.
(End of chapter)