Those ghost-type Pokémon that were unaffected by the Cliff Sword couldn't help but take a few steps back upon witnessing the scene.
Albus was also shocked. Isn't this power too terrifying?!
If such power were unleashed in the city, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Looking at the massive cracks left behind after the Cliff Sword exploded on the ground, he felt an odd sensation in his heart.
Could it be that the only way to get the Ancient Moon Bird to take action is to put myself in danger?
"Are you okay?" A concerned voice came from beside him.
Turning, Albus saw Lorcan and let out a sigh of relief. "Where did you go just now?"
Lorcan, looking at the ghost Pokémon in the distance, responded angrily, "I was right beside you the entire time, but they blocked my power, so you couldn't see me."
Albus recalled Magical Leaf into its Poké Ball and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
After securing the Poké Ball, he glanced around at the surrounding Pokémon. Clearly, the situation wasn't over yet.
Despite what had just happened, the ghost-type Pokémon were still reluctant to leave. They hovered in mid-air, watching from a distance.
Just then, something unexpected happened.
The surrounding temperature suddenly dropped significantly, and an eerie, chilling atmosphere spread through the air.
Sensing this aura, the candlelight spirits became visibly restless. They attempted to escape, but before they could react, an unseen force held them in place.
Then, a colossal figure emerged from the darkness. It stared at the restrained candlelight spirits with cold, piercing eyes.
And yet, they remained unharmed.
Seeing this, Albus was stunned.
That Pokémon…
He instinctively used appraisal on the new arrival.
Race: Gengar - Overlord ♂
Type: Ghost, Poison
Ability: Cursed Body
Base Stats: 500 (HP: 60, Physical Attack: 65, Physical Defense: 60, Special Attack: 130, Special Defense: 75, Speed: 110)
Moves Known: Hypnosis, Curse, Resentment, Black Gaze, Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Sucker Punch, Shadow Ball, Dream Eater, Dark Pulse, Hex, Nightmare, Trick Room
Special Ability: Overlord Aura (In the aura, it has a suppressive effect on Pokémon of the same type.)
Current Mood: Angry
Physical Condition: Perfect
Friendliness: 0
Overlord Pokémon...
Aren't they unique to the Alola Region?
Overlord Pokémon were the final, formidable Pokémon encountered during the Island Challenge Trials.
Unlike regular Pokémon, they were significantly larger and shrouded in a unique aura.
During battles, they summoned allies for support.
For instance, the Overlord Lurantis would call Castforms to summon Sunny Day to enhance its Photosynthesis and Leaf Guard strategies.
However, in the games, these Pokémon had no stat increases, attribute changes, or new abilities like Mega Evolution.
But…
From what he was witnessing, this Overlord Gengar's Aura seemed to have a direct suppressive effect on Pokémon of the same type.
The Overlord Gengar didn't make any visible move, and yet, those candlelight spirits and ghostly wraiths instantly dissolved into the air.
Then, it slowly turned, its gaze falling on Albus and Will Young. When its eyes landed on Lorcan, it hesitated.
Just when Albus thought it might attack, the Overlord Gengar suddenly spoke.
"I'm sorry," it said. "The humans who were captured are safe."
Albus and Lorcan were stunned.
Will Young, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. The Ancient Moon Bird absentmindedly preened its feathers, having reverted to its usual, clueless demeanor after using Cliff Sword.
"I think we need an explanation," Albus said calmly.
Overlord Gengar sighed, closed its eyes, and when it opened them again, Albus and Will Young found themselves in front of a foreign mansion filled with an ominous aura.
The mansion's doors stood wide open. Inside, sinister and terrifying ghost Pokémon floated about, their eyes filled with resentment.
Overlord Gengar glanced at them, and the doors slammed shut, trapping them inside.
"As you can see," it explained, "I've been keeping them contained here. Yesterday, they worked together to hypnotize me and escaped."
Then, Overlord Gengar looked up at the sky and muttered, "This place is dangerous. It is not meant for humans. You should leave."
Albus remained silent.
With a single glance, Overlord Gengar sent him away.
When Albus opened his eyes, he was back where he had disappeared.
Miss Wednesday, the school teachers, and the missing children were all present.
"Is everyone okay?" Miss Wednesday groaned, rubbing her temple as she dutifully checked on everyone.
People slowly regained consciousness, appearing unharmed aside from looking a little pale.
"I think... I saw blue candlelight," someone murmured, recalling the events.
After confirming everyone was accounted for, Miss Wednesday sighed in relief. Then, frowning, she turned toward the depths of the forest.
"Everyone, let's head back," she ordered.
Nobody objected.
On the way back, someone discovered an enormous fissure stretching hundreds of meters across the earth.
They gasped. "What... caused this?!"
"It's still steaming," another observed. "It must've just been created."
Miss Wednesday cautiously stepped forward, examining the crack. Inside, some magma-like energy had yet to cool and solidify.
"What in the world happened here?!" The confusion among the group grew.
To them, all that had happened was that they got lost, encountered a group of terrifying ghost Pokémon, and then suddenly returned to safety.
Hearing their confusion, Albus touched his nose awkwardly.
He had already recalled Will Young to its Poké Ball, leaving only Lorcan by his side.
Lorcan, still stunned by what he had witnessed, turned to Albus.
"What's the deal with that dumb bird?!" he asked, still in shock.
It had always assumed Will Young was nothing more than a fool obsessed with catching fish all day.
Albus smirked.
"I trained it. Impressive, huh?"
Lorcan suddenly felt a deep sense of gratitude that it had lost the ability to use moves.
Otherwise, it might've been the one lying in a crater.
So, this is the power of a human trainer? The ability to make Pokémon stronger?
It was terrifying.
Even as a ghost, Lorcan couldn't help but shudder.
Aftermath
The disappearance incident was officially closed.
Although no one knew who saved them, they all saw the enormous earth fissure—the clear aftermath of an intense battle.
Upon returning to the police station, Miss Wednesday immediately drafted an emergency report and submitted it to the League.
Albus received thanks from Miss Wednesday and the students' parents.
Back at school, he headed straight to the library, researching the history of Amazon Forest.
Although the matter was resolved, several mysteries remained.
Who built the mansion?
Why was Overlord Gengar suppressing those Pokémon?
None of this was recorded in the games.
More concerningly, the ghost Pokémon had broken through Lorcan's defenses and nearly caused a disaster.
What if it happened again?
Had Will Young not been present, the outcome could've been devastating.
Albus glanced at Will Young, who was now napping.
Through these two incidents, he had realized how to use the Ancient Moon Bird—by putting himself in danger.
The thought left him feeling complicated.
Lorcan had once attempted telepathic communication with Will Young, but all it could sense was a jumble of incoherent thoughts—except for two clear intentions:
"Bring food to Albus."
"Protect Albus."
Albus had never expected anyone to protect him.
But now, he had to admit—he was touched.
"You did well," Albus whispered, stroking Will Young's feathers.
"Huh?" Will Young stirred awake, blinking drowsily.
Meanwhile, aboard a passenger ship heading to Adelaide City, the Ghost King, Furong, narrowed her eyes at the report.
"A ghost Pokémon suddenly appeared in the forest?" she murmured, reading words like missing persons, mysterious fissures, fierce battle... potential recurrence.
This incident wasn't over yet.
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