After resting for a while.
Not until Natsuhiko and his Pokémon returned to their best condition did they leave the temporary space created by Secret Power.
After a brief rest, they embarked on their journey again.
Natsuhiko left a mark on the trunk they lived on.
To avoid missing Ann Ci.
At the same time, Abra left a psychic anchor for emergencies.
As Pidgeotto soared high to monitor the surroundings again, they left the vast forest.
The vegetation on the ground gradually lessened.
They arrived at a vast sand dune that stretched endlessly.
Standing at the edge of the dune, Natsuhiko frowned.
Because along the way he was guided by the writings left by Little Monk Ann Ci, but in such dune terrain, it's clearly hard to preserve those writings.
Tweet—
Just then, Pidgeotto's long cry reached Natsuhiko's ears.
Indicating there was something ahead.
After signaling Beedrill and the others to stay alert, Natsuhiko decided to proceed. If necessary, Abra could use Instant Movement to bring them back.
Moving further ahead.
They saw what Pidgeotto had indicated.
In the sunken area between two dunes, there was a huge castle.
The castle's height was level with the dunes, so it was completely invisible unless approached.
"Castle?"
If this is the Spirit Realm, how could there be such a grand castle?
Reaching the front of the castle, they looked up to see the castle was tens of meters high, with a huge opening at the front and no doors.
Natsuhiko also discovered the entire castle was made of sand, tightly compacted together without any signs of collapse—remarkably sturdy.
White mist floated around the castle, adding to its mysterious atmosphere.
"Sandygast? Or perhaps Palossand?"
This was Natsuhiko's first thought upon seeing the castle.
Both Sandygast and Palossand are Ghost-type and Ground Type Pokémon, which might not yet be registered with the League, first discovered in the Alola Region.
However, it was uncertain for now, as it lacked any "living" characteristics.
"Togepi!"
Togepi jumped out of Natsuhiko's arms, sniffing around the ground eagerly.
Soon, its eyes lit up.
Its small hands dug through the sand in front of the castle to reveal a small section of off-white material, offering it to Natsuhiko like a treasure.
"This... a section of an onion?"
Natsuhiko looked at the item in Togepi's hands with some surprise, casting a peculiar glance at Togepi.
Like a dog?
Togepi eagerly sniffed its tiny nose.
In its underground home, it relied on its nose to find food, never forgetting its fondness for the smell of leeks.
Receiving the onion piece and seeing its neat cut, Natsuhiko fell silent.
So.
"Was someone attacked and then entered?"
Is Ann Ci inside?
To rescue or not?
No, it's already too late to decide on a rescue.
Having entered this suspected Spirit Realm, rescuing Ann Ci also meant rescuing himself.
Natsuhiko's Pokémon indeed lacked an advantage against Ghost-type Pokémon.
Beedrill's most skilled Insect-type Techniques were suppressed by Ghost-type attributes, Togepi's General Type techniques were immune to Ghost-type, and Abra was still too weak.
If they could find Ann Ci and work together.
With Ann Ci's power combined with Natsuhiko's knowledge of various Pokémon, their ability to protect themselves would be stronger.
Thus, after careful consideration, Natsuhiko decided to enter.
But also had Abra leave a psychic anchor outside the castle.
Then he stepped into the sandcastle.
After entering and walking a few steps, Natsuhiko asked, "Abra, can we leave at any time?"
First, ensure the safety of the retreat route.
"Kay-Cee——"
Abra nodded affirmatively, as the castle didn't block its sensing of the psychic anchor.
However...
A puzzled Abra extended its palm, displaying three thumb-sized crystal blocks, faintly glowing with starlight, seemingly emitting invisible energy, slowly dissipating.
"Life crystals dissipating? Or being absorbed?"
The reason they didn't notice anything unusual upon entering was probably due to the three "life crystals" taken from Lampent replacing them.
"Kay-Cee."
Abra confirmed Natsuhiko's assumption, acknowledging its psychic power couldn't prevent their dispersal.
Thump-thump——
Suddenly.
A sound came from the corner of the castle, and two figures slowly emerged from the sand wall.
Blue-green stones formed their bodies, asymmetrical eyes, with a central rock in their abdomen resembling a bounded stone slab marked with a spiral yet inexplicable design, giving them a clay-doll appearance.
"Golett?" Natsuhiko recognized the two Pokémon.
The two Golett's eyes shimmered as they approached slowly.
"Beedrill." Natsuhiko commanded softly.
Beedrill quickly prepared for battle, a milky aura surrounding them as they inhaled deeply, the crimson compound eyes glowing.
Zzz——
The two long needles interlocked, scraping gently.
In an instant, the eyes of the two Golett turned red, fists clenched, black tendrils whirling as the inky fists rapidly formed, their seemingly clumsy movements belying their speed as they jetted forward.
Natsuhiko's expression shifted, grasping Abra's arm, disappearing within the psychic aura.
Meanwhile, Beedrill's wings' golden patterns flickered, darting toward one of the Golett.
And, witnessing Natsuhiko and Abra vanish from their attack range, the Golett immediately altered course, locking onto Beedrill.
Beedrill focused intently, earthy energy emanating from its sharp needles, meeting the incoming Golett's Shadow Fist.
Bam!
The collision resounded with a boom, raising a large cloud of sand as both Pokémon were blasted backward.
Yet, Beedrill quickly stabilized, while the Golett was sent into the sand wall.
With the sand's movement, it was soon taken in.
At this moment, the other Golett arrived in response.
Beedrill forcefully twisted, needles crossed, unleashing a Cross Cut.
Bam!
Clashing once more, the collision sent Beedrill flying again, while the Golett also faced a worse fate, similarly pushed into the sand.
Fwoosh——
The sand wall rippled, and both Golett disappeared from view.
Then the entire castle's sand began to wriggle, moving from all directions as if containing something.
Natsuhiko commanded Beedrill back with a stern look.
Staying any longer was unwise, giving a glance to Abra.
Abra understood.
Wrapped in psychic energy, transporting him and all the Pokémon instantly.
Returning them outside the castle.
And after they left, the entire castle shook irregularly, shedding a large amount of sand from above.
At the next moment.
Natsuhiko took several steps back from the castle's entrance, watching Ann Ci emerge from the sand, accompanied by Farfetch'd slicing through the sand's restraints and pursuit with its leek.
It was Ann Ci!
"Natsuhiko, run!"
Ann Ci dashed past him, leaving those words.
Natsuhiko noticed that Ann Ci tightly held a red shovel in his hand.
His expression changed, instantly understanding the situation, shouting loudly, "Throw away that damned shovel in your hand!"