"It seems the Spirit Realm is in turmoil, which explains why more Ghost-type Pokémon are crossing into the human world," Mewtwo communicated telepathically. "These spirits carry a heavy 'Spirit Aura'—they're clearly natives of the deep void. However, I sense the faint trace of Poké Ball restraints on many of them. The Channeler clan must be stationing them here as a front-line defense."
"There's definitely trouble brewing," Feng Che replied. "But we don't have time to investigate that. We need to get in while the gate is restless. Gengar, use Shadow Sneak and get us through the portal!"
Feng Che's Gengar emerged from his shadow, its grin wider than ever. It unhinged its jaw, swallowing Feng Che into its extra-dimensional stomach. Sliding back into the shadows, Gengar bypassed the two elderly guardians and slipped through the ripple of the Spirit Realm gate atop Mt. Pyre.
The Law of the Void
The Spirit Realm was a world of eternal twilight.
Gray mist clung to everything. Dilapidated tombstones were scattered across the uneven ground, and flickering Will-O-Wisps drifted aimlessly. It was a heaven for high-level ghosts and a living hell for the weak. In this world, survival was the only law. Newborn spirits were often devoured by predators for their Spirit Essence. Without that essence, a ghost would flicker out like a candle in the wind.
This was why many fled to the human world whenever a portal opened. However, the stronger a native ghost became, the more the laws of the Spirit Realm bound them, preventing the truly powerful entities from crossing over.
Gengar raced through the shadows of the void until it reached a secluded area, spitting Feng Che out.
"So this is the Spirit Realm," Feng Che murmured, looking up. The sky was a featureless gray, devoid of sun or stars. A chilling wind bit through his clothes, carrying a frost that felt like it was trying to freeze his very soul. The air smelled of damp earth and decay.
A withered forest loomed in the distance, its bare branches swaying like skeletal claws. Feng Che immediately used his Psychic power to shroud his life signature. To the predators of this world, a living human's vitality shone like a lighthouse in the dark.
"It's a big place. How do we find a Soul Crystal?" Feng Che asked. He knew they were the crystallized remains of powerful ghosts, but he had no idea what they looked like or where they formed.
"I think we should ask the locals," Mewtwo said, nodding toward the 'withered' trees. They weren't trees at all, but a slumbering grove of Trevenant.
"Gengar, Shadow Ball!"
Gengar laughed as it hurled a dark orb into the grove.
Trevenant: Who dares disturb my slumber?
The trees twisted together, forming a massive, single-eyed entity that glared at Gengar with murderous intent.
Trevenant: I shall devour your spirit as an apology for waking me!
The Trevenant lunged with a massive Shadow Claw, but Gengar simply melted into the ground. Suddenly, the Trevenant stiffened. Gengar's Shadow Stitching had locked its movements. It began to drain the Trevenant's essence, causing the forest giant to shrink until it was barely the size of a human.
Mewtwo stepped forward, its eyes glowing as it performed a Mind Read on the weakened spirit.
The Lake of Souls
"We're in luck, Feng Che," Mewtwo reported. "A Soul Crystal is about to manifest."
"In the central valley of this realm lies a place called the Lake of Souls. Growing within its waters is a rare plant known as the Spirit Lotus. When powerful spirits reach the end of their lifespan, they submerge themselves in the lake. The water decomposes them into raw soul energy, which the Lotus then absorbs."
"The Spirit Lotus blooms for a thousand years and bears fruit for another thousand. That fruit is the Soul Crystal. To claim it, one must defeat all other Elite-level contenders in a ritualistic combat at the lake's center."
"The Lotus is ripening now. That's why the high-level ghosts are hunting so aggressively—they're trying to bolster their own essence before the final struggle. That's also why so many smaller spirits were pushed out into Hoenn."
"Interesting," Feng Che said, his resolve hardening. "We'll take the crystal and leave immediately. This is Giratina's domain; if we cause too much of a ruckus and attract the Lord of the Distortion World, we might not make it back."