At sea.
Four days later.
Four days flew by in a flash.
During these four days, Lorelei had become a true part of Silas's little crew, and Suzie had fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital.
Watching Suzie leave the hospital, Silas couldn't help marveling at how tough human bodies were in this world. If someone had these injuries back in his previous life, there'd be no way they'd recover in a week—in fact, just leaving the hospital would be a pipe dream. Injuries like these would take at least three months, and that's not even accounting for lingering aftereffects!
Still, thanks to Suzie's recovery, the journey could continue!
Silas's group had decided on their next destination: Saffron City. To get there, they'd have to pass through Maiden's Peak. And since there was only one ferry per day from Acapulco to Maiden's Peak, they set out bright and early!
Enjoying the salty breeze as it blew across the deck, both Lorelei and Silas closed their eyes.
For Lorelei, it was pure relaxation. Being an Elite Four might seem glamorous, but most people didn't realize how grueling it actually was. Since joining the Elite Four, she'd spent her days running all over the place, never able to take a real break. It had been ages since she'd just enjoyed a peaceful moment like this…
Silas, on the other hand, was lost in thought about Gastly.
Ever since the incidents with Dragonite and Suzie's injury, he'd started to change, not just thinking about the positives anymore but also considering the bad outcomes. So even though he now had a Legendary-level Dragonite, Charizard, and a peak-Champion Tyranitar, he was still planning for what he'd do if Gastly's powers were stronger than expected—how to get out in one piece, even though that possibility was nearly zero.
"Silas." Right then, Giselle came bouncing over, excitement bubbling in her voice. "I overheard some of the guys on the boat—tonight is the annual festival at Maiden's Peak! Can we stay there a night and check it out?"
"Duh." Silas rolled his eyes, sounding half exasperated, "By the time we get to Maiden's Peak, it'll be like four or five o'clock. If we don't find a place there, are we supposed to camp on the street? But as far as the festival goes, don't count me in. I've got stuff I need to handle tonight."
"Hmph." Giselle shot Silas a glare before dropping a line that left him at a loss: "You were never part of the plan anyway! As long as Big Sis Lorelei and Sister Suzie go with me, I'm happy! You just stay behind with our luggage!"
Silas was instantly speechless.
Ignoring him, Giselle turned her puppy-dog eyes on Lorelei and said in her sweetest voice, "Big Sis Lorelei, will you come to the festival with me? Please?"
"Of course." Lorelei nodded with an easy, warm smile.
"Yes!" Getting Lorelei's agreement, Giselle pumped her fist and raced back inside, shouting as she ran, "I'm gonna go tell Sister Suzie!"
"Heh." Watching Giselle bounce away, Lorelei gave a soft laugh. Then she looked over at Silas, puzzled. "What exactly are you up to tonight? Need a hand?"
"Nope."
Silas shook his head. Sure, he and Lorelei were on good terms, and even within the League, the Elite Four were pretty supportive of him, but he wasn't planning to let Lorelei in on everything. He smiled. "Just some busywork. I wouldn't dare trouble someone as important as you! Though I will need to rely on you to keep an eye on Suzie and Giselle tonight."
"No worries." Lorelei shrugged, her tone amused. "Suzie will be no problem. And Giselle—I really like that kid, honestly. Maybe she's a little blunt and tends to put her foot in her mouth, but that just makes her more fun to be around. We'll be fine!"
"Thanks. I owe you."
...
Maiden's Peak.
The ghost maiden who haunted Maiden's Peak suddenly appeared.
She was stunningly beautiful—prettier than ninety-nine percent of all women in the world.
Right now, this beautiful girl looked incredibly emotional, tears streaming down her cheeks. But judging by the happy smile on her lips, these were tears of joy—she was crying because she was overjoyed.
"What's wrong?" A low, eerie voice sounded beside her. Gastly's form materialized next to the maiden, its voice full of concern. "Did something happen?"
"He's back!" Tears flooding her cheeks, the ghost maiden poured out her heart.
"Are you sure?" Gastly's tone shifted for a moment—surprise creeping in.
"Yes." The ghost maiden nodded, certainty and happiness shining in her gaze. "He might look totally different now, but I'd never forget the scent of his soul. After two thousand years of reincarnation, he's finally returned to this place!"
"Is that so…" Gastly's voice didn't sound happy at all—it was all sorrow and isolation. "So… are you going to see him?"
"Yes!" The maiden's voice was full of resolve. "I waited two thousand years for this moment—just to see him one last time! If I can't meet him, then what on earth was the point of my endless waiting?"
Her words left Gastly speechless.
Sure, the maiden getting her wish was something to celebrate… but Gastly knew all too well, if her wish was granted, she would vanish forever—because a ghost only lingers to fulfill its last regret. Once the wish is granted, the soul disappears to be reborn.
Gastly couldn't bear that. The ghost maiden was its only friend. But as her friend, it also wanted her to find peace. Gastly was torn.
"Hey, Gastly." As if she could see right through Gastly's conflict, the ghost maiden smiled gently. "Even if I reincarnate, can't we still be best friends?"
"Always!" Gastly nodded hard, voice full of conviction. "We'll be best friends, forever!"
"Then help me, please…"
"Alright." Gastly managed a wry smile. "I'll bring him to you!"
...
Maiden's Peak.
Four o'clock sharp.
After a six-hour ferry ride, Silas and his crew finally set foot on Maiden's Peak.
But the moment they got off the boat, Silas was left dumbstruck. Giselle, Suzie, and Lorelei all dumped their bags on him, told him to go find a place for them to stay, and said to call later—then they disappeared into the festive crowds, leaving Silas spinning as he stared in disbelief at the pile of luggage.
If it were another Trainer, at least they could call out their Pokémon to help… but not Silas. It wasn't that his Pokémon wouldn't listen, it was just—he had nothing the right size. The big ones were too huge, and the little ones were, well, way too little. Not a single one was any use as a bellhop!
"Need a hand?"
Right when Silas was at wit's end, a hearty voice came from behind. He turned to see a burly man standing there, eyeing him with a look that was… oddly appraising.
"I could use some help, yeah," Silas admitted. "But—who are you?"
"Muscle for hire," the guy answered without hesitation. He flexed, then said bluntly, "Pay me well and I'll move your stuff. Simple as that."
"No problem!" Hearing that, Silas finally let his guard drop. "Alright, I'll hire you for the job. Just help me with these bags—and can you point me to an inn, maybe?"
"Inn?" The man shook his head, regretful. "There aren't any inns here at Maiden's Peak. But if you need a place to stay, there's always the Pokémon Center. That's actually the only place with rooms around here."
"Let's go," Silas said flatly.
Pokémon Center
After paying and getting a room, Silas turned to the man, who'd just hauled the bags inside. "How much do I owe you?"
"Money?" The man let out a not-quite-human grin. "This time, don't worry about it. Just meet me at Maiden's Peak, by the peak itself, at midnight—don't be late."
"Wha—?"
Silas froze, but before he could ask what that meant, the guy was already gone—completely vanished. That sent a chill up Silas's spine. Only one word popped into his mind: Gastly. He hadn't even had a chance to look for Gastly—and Gastly had come to him!
But even more confusing—why would Gastly want to meet him?
He knew about the ghost maiden, sure, but in the original story, Gastly just picked random people. There was never any specific target, and definitely no ghost acting as luggage porter and guide! That was just weird.
No matter how he thought about it, Silas couldn't figure out a satisfying answer. At last, he gave up, set an alarm, and flopped onto the bed. After all, he had to see Gastly tonight—which probably meant sleep was going to be an issue.
...
10 PM!
When Silas next opened his eyes, night had fallen in full.
He glanced at his phone—saw a recent message from Giselle, basically telling him they'd be out late and not to worry. Attached were over a dozen food pics… Silas could only laugh and put his phone away.
After a quick wash, Silas set out.
Just as he stepped into the Pokémon Center's lobby, he spotted Ash with Pikachu, alongside Misty. Both looked anxious, sitting there as if waiting for something. Silas walked over and asked, deadpan, "What's with those long faces?"
"Silas!"
"Silas!"
Misty and Ash both jumped up. Ash, looking miserable, said, "Silas, what do I do? Brock said he'd stay at Maiden's Peak until curfew and head back, but it's almost curfew now and he still hasn't returned."
Maiden's Peak!
Hearing the name made Silas's brow furrow. Why did it seem like everyone he knew was ending up connected to Maiden's Peak somehow? Still, he wasn't in the mood to think about it any deeper. Since he had to go there anyway, he told Ash, "You and Misty should get some rest. I've got business at Maiden's Peak. If Brock's still there when I go, I'll bring him back with me."
"You're heading there too?!" Ash was surprised. He checked the time, looking worried. "But it's already after ten—are you sure it's safe to go out this late?"
Silas shook his head, reassuring him, "You know my Pokémon—no need to worry about me."
"True."
Thinking about Silas's Pokémon, remembering that epic battle, Ash immediately relaxed.
There was basically nothing—not with Dragonite and Charizard watching his back—that could possibly threaten Silas. Ash apologized, "Then, Silas—I'll leave Brock to you!"
"No problem."