Pikachu nodded as he watched Ash with worry. Why are they behaving like this? He kept calling out to Ash, yet he acted like it's as if he couldn't see him. It frustrated both Ash and Pikachu.

It's not real? What did Trip meant by that? Was he saying that... all of this was an illusion? Ash could hear them ー Trip, Pikachu, even Tranquill's cries ー and he could feel their presence too, but what threw him off was that he could not see them where they said they are.

See them...?

And then he realized while he couldn't see them normally, he could do that through other means. So he took out a Pokéball and sent out his Lucario.

"Lucario, help us out here!"

For a moment he had a brief glimpse of his Lucario on the field before he blinked and the greenery obscured his line of sight thanks to Stantler's illusion. However Ash wasn't worried this time, as he could sense Lucario's strong presence through the Pokémon's Aura.

"Yeah just stay still Trip, you too Pikachu, Tranquill. I've got an idea!"

He returned his vision to normal once he let go of Lucario's paw and broke off their link. With the illusion gone, he was more than happy to see Pikachu again and he opened his arms.

"Pikapi!" His Pikachu cried out in joy as jumped in to embrace his partner.

"Sorry for making you worry buddy. We're okay now, all thanks to Lucario!" Ash said and placed an approving hand over the Aura Pokémon's shoulder. The latter responding to his praise with a delighted growl.

Ash then shifted his attention to the two Stantlers after hearing Trip's reaction. He wondered why until he saw the look on the child Stantler's unfortunately messy face.

"Woah, what happened to that little fella over there?"

And look at that! Good as new! Pikachu and Dracovish cheered at the little Stantler now that it's all washed up. But as it trotted away, Ash tilted his head as he watched.

"Hey, where are you going?"

He glanced at Trip then to the Stantler's parent, wondering if he had any idea what it was doing.

"Those are... Soothe Bells, aren't they?" He picked up the pair as he placed them on the palm of his hand. It chimed again, making his Pikachu feel relaxed at the tune. Despite looking slightly worn over time, it still looked like they're in good condition.

Ash then noticed that the Stantler pair were moving away. He hadn't showed his gratitude to them yet! Quickly he waved his hand as he bid farewell to the family.

"Thank you so much Stantler! You two take care!"

"Piika Pika!"

And once they're gone, Ash took a quick look at the soothe bells, then offered one to Trip.

"I think this one's meant for you too! Stantler must've been really grateful for what you did!"

And he smiled, as he believed it so.

Ash pocketed his Soothe Bell and recalled both his Lucario and Dracovish back into their ball before looking at the road ahead. He let out a hum as he cupped his chin in thought. On one hand, it's good to be safe if they turn back. On the other hand it wouldn't hurt to check out what's up ahead.

"Hmm, we've already come this far though." Ash finally answered, and followed it up with a confident grin. "I'd say let's keep moving! Maybe something good might happen if we keep moving forward!"

"Pikachu!" His partner sounded his agreement.

"Roger that!" He raised his fist up high excitedly.

And as per usual, Ash went ahead and took the lead. Strolling down the path in his usual carefree demeanor. The road ahead seemed teeming with more Pokemon after their brief encounter with the Stantler family. So he hoped to see more and more of them along the way, even pointing out some he could immediately recognize.

"Ah, there's a Pidgey over there! Oh, and a Swadloon over there!" Trip would likely hear the giddy in Ash's voice.

"Piiika!"

Ash looked up at the treetops above them covering most of the sky. He could make out the gold and orange hues through the openings, which was strange... it should've been a vibrant blue, shouldn't it? Had they been in the forest for that long?

"Huh you're right..." It won't be good if they traverse through the forest when night falls, Ash thought. He was beginning to hear the Murkrows cawing in the distance. "We should pick up the pace before it gets dark. Let's keep going."

He gestured Trip to move before continuing straight ahead on their path.

The more he walked the more he could hear the sea breeze blowing through the exit. And once they were out, the scent of the ocean from afar penetrated his senses which woke him up. Ash stretched out his arms, feeling a sense of relief. Pikachu let out a loud "chaa!" as he stretched alongside his partner.

"Mmm, it's good to be finally out of there!"

He took notice of the wildflowers up ahead, a clear sign that they're near their destination. Though he was far more used to seeing this route during daytime where the flowers were at its most colorful.

"So..." Ash took a quick look around, trying to find an outline or a silhouette of something. "...where's Memorial Garden?"

In Ash's eyes, all he could make out are tiny glimmering, floating orbs, like the out-of-focus portions of lights in a photograph. However the heavy, eerie atmosphere coming the graveyard was enough for Ash to feel a strong chill throughout his body as if the air was weighing him. Whether if it was the Aura he picked up or just his own gut feeling, he wasn't sure. But he knows they're in a graveyard just by the feeling alone.

The excitement he had from earlier was now replaced with uncertainty. And he was far more quiet than usual. Ash could feel his Pikachu's weight on his shoulder growing heavier, and sensing his partner's unease as he attempted to comfort him ー placing a gentle hand over the mouse Pokémon's back.

The heavy air continued to weigh on Ash. And after eyeing on a few gravemarkers, he finally decided to speak up to shake off his nerves.

"I've never seen graves shaped like this before..."

Thanks to the light from Lampent, Ash noticed the family graves they've passed all seem to have a spacious platform before it. Nothing like the graves he's used to seeing back home. He couldn't quite figure out why those are there, but there must have been a reason.

Speaking of Lampent, his focus was then shifted to the Ghost-type.

"Oh yeah... I'm wondering how Lampent could tell when there's an evil spirit nearby?"