Three days had passed since the Elite Four tournament concluded.
Without any official statements from the Elite members involved, the internet buzz had gradually died down. No matter how much speculation surrounded the tournament’s outcome, everyone would have to wait for the eventual Championship challenge to learn the truth.
Early morning at Capital International Airport, John and Damian met to board a specialized aircraft called The Ferryman. They weren’t traveling alone, Gym Leader Harrison had joined them for the journey.
"So, kiddo," Harrison said, throwing an arm around John’s shoulders the moment they boarded, "who actually won the Elite tournament?" His eyes sparkled with mischief. "Is it like the internet claims? Did you and Damian duke it out in an epic battle, with you emerging victorious and earning the right to challenge the Champion?"
"Since when did you become such a gossip?" Damian interrupted before John could respond. "You’ve never cared about tournament results before."
"That was different, you won every previous tournament, so what was the point of asking?" Harrison snorted, then suddenly studied Damian with narrowed eyes. "Wait a minute... if you’d won this time like always, you’d be smug and mysteriously silent."
"So John really did win!" Harrison stared at John with wide eyes.
John simply smiled without saying a word.
"Hey, what’s with that cryptic smile?" Harrison demanded, practically bouncing with curiosity.
John shook his head silently, thinking, I gave you the answer, but you didn’t pick up on it.
"What does the head shake mean?!" Neither Damian nor John would give him a straight answer, leaving Harrison feeling like a dozen cats were scratching at his heart. The suspense was killing him.
"The airport has direct flights to major international secret locations," Damian explained to John, deliberately changing the subject. "These places are relatively dangerous, so you need at least Gym Leader credentials to board. If you’re interested, you can check them out on the terminal."
"The secret location we’re visiting is called Halloween Island. It’s populated exclusively by Ghost-type Pokémon. The environment there has unique spectral properties and produces numerous treasure-grade Pokémon items. It’s an excellent place to enhance Ghost-type Pokémon abilities."
Damian handed over a thick printed document. "Here’s detailed information about the place."
John accepted the papers and studied them carefully. The content covered Halloween Island’s basics, much of which was publicly available, but also insider info that only veteran visitors could compile: Pokémon strength distributions, Alpha Pokémon territories, Ghost-type energy concentrations, and potential treasure sites.
Clearly, this was an internal guide Damian had compiled from years of experience.
However, after reading through everything, John still couldn’t figure out why Damian had invited him. The strongest creature on Halloween Island was supposedly a quasi-Champion-level Totem Dusknoir, nothing Damian couldn’t handle solo.
If both Damian and Harrison were coming, and still needed John... then there had to be something only he could handle.
The document gave no clues. Oh well, John thought, I’ll find out when we get there.
Since it was a private charter with a direct route, the flight was short. They departed at 8:00 AM and landed at noon sharp.
After touching down at the small airport outside Halloween Island, the trio enjoyed a hearty lunch in the near-empty terminal. Fewer than ten people occupied the entire facility, including chefs and staf, —all of them certified Trainers.
Since they’d be venturing deep into the wilderness for an unknown number of days, they took their time with the meal, savoring what might be their last proper food for a while.
At 1:30 PM, they set off on schedule.
Stepping outside, they faced a forest shrouded in a ghostly atmosphere. Though it had been sunny at the airport moments before, the sky here was ominously overcast, as if an invisible barrier separated the two areas. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NoveI~Fire.net
Unlike typical Sanctuaries with visible portals, Halloween Island’s centuries-old zone had completely merged with the land, leaving no obvious entry point.
"So which route are we taking this time?" Harrison asked, unfolding a map covered in scribbled notations only he could understand. "The longer, safer path, or the riskier direct approach?"
"We’re not taking any of the usual routes," Damian replied firmly. "We’re going straight through."
Harrison blinked. "Is there some emergency? Why the rush?"
Instead of answering, Damian turned to John. "Release your Gengar."
John complied, sending out his playful, purple Ghost-type, who immediately began spinning in place.
"Gengar gar! (Good afternoon, Master!)" the Pokémon chirped.
Damian frowned slightly. "Can it shift to the form it used when it fought me? Not Mega or Dynamax, the other transformation."
"Gen gengar... (Master, why are they about to jump me?)" Gengar asked nervously.
John sighed and snapped his fingers. "Sorry, buddy. Just for a moment."
Greninja, Gardevoir, and Blaziken materialized instantly and launched a coordinated beatdown on the confused Gengar.
"Gengar! (No! Not Brother Frog!)"
"Gengar gen! (Brother Fried Chicken, please!)"
"Gen gen gengar! (Sister Garde, have mercy!)"
As the assault continued, Gengar’s body shifted, purple to gold-purple, then deep gold, before settling on a regal royal purple. His HP dropped to 25%, activating King’s Presence.
A transformed Gengar King emerged, regal yet battered.
Sensing the overwhelming aura, Damian gave a nod. "Let it release its full presence. Now we can proceed."
Harrison stared, dumbfounded. "Your Gengar has to be a Ditto in disguise, right?"
"Gen gengar! (No way! I’m the real deal!)" Gengar barked indignantly.
John shrugged. "That’s just how King’s Presence works. He can only access it when his HP’s low."
As they prepared to enter the haunted forest, John felt a gnawing unease in his gut. Something about this mission wasn’t in the documents.