Something that even Team Rainbow Rocket would secretly research…
Something capable of affecting an entire city even through a collapsing alternate dimension…
Aside from the eighteen Plates used by the creator god Arceus to shape the world, Rei Akagi could think of no other possibility.
The Ghost Plate…
Rei Akagi took a deep breath and cast an appraisal toward the jade coffin.
Ghost Plate – Legendary Item
Just as he thought.
While contemplating, Rei Akagi reached out and gently traced the engraved patterns on the jade coffin.
Soft, pure white light flowed from his palm, slowly pouring into the coffin.
Hummm—
A low resonance echoed from the jade coffin.
Then fine cracks spread across its surface before shattering into countless fragments.
Yet the fragments did not scatter.
Instead, as if guided by an invisible hand, they circled and assembled together—finally collapsing inward into a single dark stone tablet emitting a deep, mysterious glow.
It floated quietly before Rei Akagi.
"Just as expected."
Rei Akagi smiled faintly and caught the stone tablet in his hand.
Then he turned toward Gastly beside him, his expression serious.
"Gastly, would you be willing to come with me and save those Pokémon who have been consumed by pain?"
"Gaaas! (Those are all my subjects!)"
Gastly puffed up its big face and nodded vigorously.
Rei Akagi's gaze softened as he rubbed its head with a smile.
"Relax. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen."
He gently pressed the Ghost Plate toward Gastly.
"Close your eyes. Feel the Ghost Plate with your heart. Use it to connect with every Ghost-type Pokémon suffering from pain. I'll guide you from behind."
Rei Akagi's plan was simple.
Gastly would act as the temporary vessel and psychic hub of the Ghost Plate, linking together all the rampaging Ghost Pokémon.
Meanwhile, through Gastly and the Plate, Rei Akagi would pour out the Power of Aura (Bond Power) to soothe the agitation and pain buried deep within their souls.
Gastly itself was a special existence born from the Ghost Plate. It shared the same origin as the Plate, so a temporary fusion would cause no serious harm.
The only price—
Would be Rei Akagi's own mental exhaustion.
"Gaaas!"
Taking advantage of Rei Akagi's distraction, Gastly suddenly lashed out with its long tongue and licked his entire face.
While Rei Akagi wiped away the drool with a look of disgust, Gastly laughed before obediently closing its eyes.
Looking at his mischievous little partner, Rei Akagi could only shake his head helplessly.
What else could he do?
Of course—spoil it.
He carefully lifted the closed-eyed Gastly and gently held it against his chest.
The Power of Aura hidden deep within his body surged like a rushing river.
Moments later, Rei Akagi steadied his breath and shouted:
"Transcend! The laws of time and space—!"
In an instant, dazzling pure white light erupted from his body and enveloped Gastly completely!
The Power of Aura drew upon the immense energy of the Ghost Plate, washing over Gastly again and again before transforming into countless streaks of light bursting outward through its body.
At the same time—
Gastly's form rapidly expanded and transformed within that indescribable energy before finally stabilizing…
"Geng—GAR! (I—am destiny itself!)"
The Frontline of theMausoleum of the First Emperor
Countless threads of space-time, shimmering with rainbow light, suddenly pierced through the violently fluctuating spatial barrier.
They ignored the obstruction of space.
They pierced through the wall of time.
And gently wrapped themselves around every rampaging Ghost-type Pokémon.
The moment they were bound—
The Pokémon froze.
The crimson chaos swirling in their eyes was swiftly dispersed by a calming power.
Moments later, as if all strength had been drained from their bodies, they collapsed one after another and fell unconscious.
Cynthia was the first to react.
She stared blankly at the threads of space-time.
"…Rei Akagi."
She murmured softly.
"What is there… that you can't do?"
Not only Cynthia—
Every Trainer on the battlefield had stopped moving, staring in shock at the scene before them.
It looked like a miracle descending from the heavens.
Within the gentle light, they could vaguely see the outline of a man… and a Gengar.
Time flowed quietly.
When the final rampaging Ghost Pokémon collapsed unconscious, the threads of space-time quietly vanished.
The Trainers' suppressed excitement finally erupted.
"We did it! We actually did it!"
"It really worked! Grimmsnarl, I love you!"
"This victory belongs to all of us!"
"Commander Rei Akagi! Champion Cynthia! Professor Oak! Elite Four An Ming! And everyone else—!"
The cheers finally merged into a single thunderous shout that echoed through the sky.
"WE DID IT!!!"
It was dusk.
The sunlight was broken yet gentle.
Some laughed.
Some cried.
But in the end—
They had succeeded.
Trainers gradually withdrew from the battlefield while medical teams took over the scene.
Cynthia recalled her partners, her eyes unconsciously searching through the crowd.
Eventually, in a quiet corner, she saw him.
Rei Akagi was mixed in with the medical staff, bending down and working busily.
Gastly had already evolved into Gengar.
With the help of the Ghost Plate, it carried the nearly collapsing alternate dimension within the shadows it controlled.
The remaining task was simply to heal the Ghost Pokémon and send them back into a stable shadow realm.
Noticing Cynthia's gaze, Rei Akagi did not stop working.
There were still too many unconscious Ghost Pokémon whose violent energy needed to be purified.
Damn it…
How did my retirement life end up like this?
Was this also part of your plan…
Arceus?!
In truth, Rei Akagi's Power of Aura had long been completely exhausted.
Only sheer willpower kept him from collapsing unconscious.
He still couldn't fall.
At this moment, he was the only one who could disperse the violent energy.
Feeling a gentle warmth spreading from the necklace around his neck, Rei Akagi inhaled deeply, slapped his cheeks lightly, and walked toward the next Pokémon awaiting purification.
Thanks, old buddy.
Hmph.
The tiny Rayquaza curled on his collar shifted ever so slightly.
Meanwhile, Gengar, hiding within the shadows, silently watched everything.
Deep in its heart, it made a vow.
To protect my frail Father Emperor…
I must become stronger!
The sunset grew softer as night slowly descended.
Rei Akagi no longer knew how much time had passed.
He only knew the sky was growing darker… and fewer and fewer people remained around him.
Finally, he stumbled backward.
But the pain he expected never came.
Someone had caught him.
"Professor Oak already brought the energy dispersal device he developed. Aside from the medical staff still treating the Pokémon, all other Trainers have been escorted away by Gym Leader An Ming…"
Cynthia sat gently on the ground, carefully placing Rei Akagi's head onto her soft lap.
Looking at the exhausted young man before her, her voice softened.
"I mean… you can rest now."
When Rei Akagi used the Power of Aura, he had done his best to conceal it.
Even the nearby medical staff had not noticed.
But—
The faint glow continuously emanating from the necklace on his chest had ultimately allowed Cynthia to confirm the nature of that power.
It was the legendary power bestowed by the creator god Arceus.
A supreme force capable of transcending time and space, connecting the hearts of all beings, and harmonizing conflict and chaos.
Its name was—
The Power of Aura.
The legendary Power of Aura.
Trainer of Rayquaza.
Savior of the crisis.
And that unusual sense of responsibility…
Just how many secrets are you hiding?
For some reason, a faint smile slowly appeared on Cynthia's lips.
Cool moonlight slipped through her pale golden hair and fell gently upon Rei Akagi's face.
Breathing in the faint fragrance lingering in the air, Rei Akagi slowly closed his already blurred eyes.
"Miss Cynthia…"
"Hmm?"
"Miss Cynthia…"
"Yes."
"Miss Cynthia…"
"I'm here."
"I've always been here."
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