Chapter 723: Reincarnation of Life and Death

Ah!?

All Baimu and Furong were both dumbfounded.

Half an hour ago they had only just confirmed Ryuka's death, assuming the Banette couldn't accept its Trainer's passing and was lying that he wasn't dead.

And now suddenly they're saying some Pokémon agreed to save Ryuka?

You've got to be kidding!

"Who?" All Baimu asked, looking up.

Although Ryuka had indeed been blown to pieces, among Pokémon there were always some legendary beings who defied reason.

Examples of returning from death to life were commonplace.

Take the protagonist Ash, for instance — he had nearly died and come back multiple times; in the movie "Mewtwo Strikes Back," he took the beam clash between Mew and Mewtwo head-on and was petrified, only being revived thanks to the Pokémon's tears of sincere devotion;

and in the movie "I Choose You," when he was being focus-fired by a huge number of wild Pokémon and died without even ashes remaining, he was inexplicably revived. Ho-Oh wasn't even present at the time, and its feathers had already turned to ash after Ash's death.

Ryuka's sacrifice moved some special Pokémon, granting him a chance at life — this logic flowed quite smoothly.

Only, which "immortal" had made the move?

All Baimu couldn't imagine who would show up in the godforsaken Orei region.

"I don't know."

The Banette's words made his raised eyebrows quickly droop. "I don't recognize that Pokémon. It came from the Distortion World."

Wait!

A Pokémon from the Distortion World saying it could revive Ryuka?

All Baimu opened his mouth, glanced at Furong beside him, and saw that her expression had indeed grown serious.

The Distortion World was the destination of souls; inside, one could say it was a place of death with no life. Could a Pokémon from there be trusted to bring a dead person back?

Believe it or not, it really was possible.

Only, in the usual script, this kind of resurrection method was bound to be unorthodox.

All Baimu couldn't be sure, so he wanted to consult the Distortion World expert Furong. Seeing her expression now, he knew she was probably thinking the same as him.

"What method did it teach you?" Furong asked impatiently.

The Banette glanced at her, then said to All Baimu: "Lend me Hu Pa's ring, you want to find your grandfather too, right?"

"First tell me what method it taught you, and exactly which Pokémon taught you."

All Baimu forcibly steered the Banette's attempt to change the subject back on track, even threatening: "Otherwise I'll leave here and go find my grandfather."

"You!!"

The Banette's blood-red eyes widened, and it didn't speak for a long while.

It had probably already started cursing in its heart.

They waited for a long time.

Only then did it telepathically say: "I can only tell you what it looks like. You find your grandfather and bring him here, then I'll tell you the method."

All Baimu sensed it sneaking a peek at Furong — was it wary?

He was about to speak when his elbow was suddenly poked, followed by a force sliding up and down.

"Fine."

All Baimu agreed, lowered his head to ask the shiny Gengar for a notebook, and quietly exchanged a glance with Furong standing beside him.

Hold steady?

He pulled a sketchbook and pen from Gengar's belly, intending to judge exactly which Pokémon it was based on the physical traits the Banette described.

"Does it stand on two legs like us, or on four?"

"Two legs, looks pretty much like a human child."

"……What color?"

"Gray."

"Is there smoke drifting on its head, curved horns on both sides, and candle-red eyes?" All Baimu pretty much knew which Pokémon it was.

Truly... unexpected but logical.

The Banette asked: "You recognize it?"

"I recognize this species of Pokémon, not this individual." All Baimu understood what the Banette meant, quickly sketched it on paper, and showed it. "Is this it?"

On the sketchbook was clearly a small figure wreathed in drifting smoke, like a ghost.

"That's right, it's it."

The Banette answered.

All Baimu handed the sketchbook to the expectant Furong. She first let out a sigh of admiration upon seeing it. "All Baimu, your drawing is really amazing, but this Pokémon... I don't recognize it."

She shook her head.

Gengar couldn't wait to snatch the sketchbook from her hand, its comical big face squeezing together with Hu Pa and Dusknoir, while Dragapult quietly peeked from behind.

"Genga?"

"Hu Pa hasn't seen it either."

"If I remember correctly, this is a Mythical Pokémon called Marshadow. It usually dwells in shadows and doesn't meet others, so it's regarded as a timid and weak Pokémon."

All Baimu laid out everything he knew about Marshadow from his mind.

Furong nodded slightly, but her brow furrowed again. She asked: "Marshadow possesses the power to revive humans?"

"It shouldn't..."

All Baimu shook his head, but in his heart was thinking that Marshadow didn't, but its big brother did.

Who was its big brother?

The legendary follow-camera, the Bell Tower tower master who, over more than twenty years, had appeared for less than five minutes in the only movie featuring it — Ho-Oh!

The legendary Pokémon that once saved the Phoenix Guard's Entei, Suicune, and Raikou revived Ash with nothing but a single feather, revealing the immense power it possessed.

But Meltan's association with the Phoenix is a story from another parallel timeline, another of Ash's adventures.

The anime version of Meltan only appeared in Alola; it may not be the same as the drama version… No, it came here telling the Cursed Doll it could save Long He—there's no doubt it's connected to the Phoenix!

Another one of those multiple-existing Legendary Pokémon?

"I'll ask my grandmother if she knows." Furong pulled out her phone to contact her grandmother, then suddenly realized there was no signal in the Gap, and reluctantly gave up.

The Cursed Doll above urged: "You already know who it is—use the Light Wheel now!"

"... Alright."

Baimu and Furong exchanged a glance, took the picture book from Gengar, and drew the appearance and demeanor of Long He from their dreams.

It would be easier for Hu Pa to find someone by directly drawing an image than by describing them in words.

He drew quickly, and those around him, along with the Pokémon, watched with intense focus—especially the Cursed Doll on the ceiling, who longed to fly down and press close to see.

"That's about it."

Baimu nodded at the portrait of Long He; it could barely pass for a true likeness in both form and spirit.

Togedemaru's sketch memory had helped him greatly—he never knew he had such talent for drawing; just experiencing someone else's memories let him learn nine out of ten.

"Geng!"

"It really looks like him! Could Little White have drawn it wrong?"

Gengar and Hu Pa were surprised by the likeness in the drawing; Furong couldn't help comparing it carefully.

A face that was eight-tenths similar was nearly indistinguishable from the original without close inspection.

Above.

The Cursed Doll's voice drifted down softly: "Could… you give this to me?"

"Hm?"

Baimu looked up and said: "Once we find the person, this won't be necessary—alright, if you want it."

He knew the Cursed Doll likely had little hope in Hu Pa's Light Wheel, hadn't seen Long He in decades, and was moved by the image.

He told Hu Pa: "Hu Pa, find my grandfather for me—he's a Starfall People, and a Dragon Tamer."

No one knew the mechanism behind Hu Pa's ability to retrieve people; giving it more clues might narrow the search, like refining a search term, and improve accuracy.

"Leave it to Hu Pa!"

Hu Pa proudly lifted its little head; the left horned ring flew out, expanded, and hovered before it. "Come out, Grandpa Long He!"

Baimu and the others, along with the Pokémon, looked on with anticipation.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

——Complete silence.

They stared at Hu Pa, arms raised; its expression shifted from confidence to embarrassment.

"Hu Pa! Hu Pa, try again!"

It retracted the Light Wheel and switched to the central ring, shouting: "Little White's grandfather! Grandpa Long He, come out!"

Everyone's faces lit up with hope again.

——Failed again.

Hu Pa grew increasingly frustrated, turning to Baimu and shouting: "Hu Pa! Time for the real thing! Little White, unleash Hu Pa!"

"Alright."

Baimu pulled out the Punishment Vessel given to him by Barza and fully released the power sealed within Hu Pa.

In an instant.

Before the astonished eyes of the Cursed Doll and Furong, the giant demon Hu Pa appeared.

"Hu Pa! Today, I will definitely retrieve Grandpa Long He!"

It spoke in a deep, rumbling voice.

The ring expanded into a Light Wheel, crackling with electricity, its azure light rippling.

The demon Hu Pa thrust its massive hand into the Light Wheel, clearly enraged and ready to drag Long He out by force.

But.

After fumbling for a long while, it let out a soft "Huh?" Then it shoved its huge head inside, pulled it back out, and its fierce face twisted into a look of grievance. "Hu Pa… Hu Pa can't find Grandpa Long He…"

Failed!

How could this be!

Unlike the disappointed Cursed Doll and Furong, Baimu—who understood Hu Pa's power was rule-based—stared in shock. It could summon and forcibly control Legendary Pokémon; how could it fail to find one person?

"Hu Pa, wait."

He quickly grabbed the sketchbook and drew again; moments later, a skeleton appeared, and he lifted it. "Try summoning this version of Grandpa Long He."

Furong gripped his shoulder. "Baimu…"

"Meltan couldn't revive Grandpa Long He—it deceived the Cursed Doll. That's not impossible," he said seriously.

The demon Hu Pa glanced at the skeleton and nodded. "Hu Pa will try again!"

It activated another Light Wheel, reached inside, searched for a long time—but found nothing. The demon's fierce face nearly wept.

As if Long He's existence had vanished utterly from this world, leaving not even a trace.

The Gap fell into profound silence.

"Geng."

Gengar flew up and whispered comfort to Hu Pa.

The Cursed Doll wearily closed its eyes. Greater hope, greater disappointment—it wanted to kick them out again, but seeing the picture book in Baimu's hands, it stayed silent.

"If direct searching won't work, we must find Meltan," Furong said, looking at Baimu, who was lost in thought.

"Mm."

His thoughts returned from a fleeting, strange notion, and he looked at the dejected Demon God Hu Pa: "Hu Pa, don't be discouraged—you've done wonderfully. Could you help us summon Marshadow again? Remember, it's Marshadow who knows the Cursed Doll—don't summon any other Marshadow."

"Okay!"

Demon God Hu Pa nodded. It had always believed its light wheel was omnipotent—yet today it couldn't find a single real human.

Why?

Frustrated, it opened the light wheel according to Baimu's sketchbook.

Marshadow… Marshadow…

"Come out, Marshadow!"

Fortunately, this time it worked smoothly.

Jet-black light burst from the light wheel; thick black smoke surged forth, and Marshadow—no taller than a thigh—was spat out, blinking dazedly at its surroundings.

Clearly, Hu Pa's forced summoning had caught it completely off guard.

"Masi—"

It let out a shrill cry and turned to dash back into the light wheel—but Demon God Hu Pa had already shut it, causing it to crash into empty air.

Without hesitation, Marshadow plunged into the shadow behind Baimu.

Gengar beside Hu Pa flew into a rage—this was the Trainer's shadow! Could a Ghost-type Pokémon just barge in like this?

It charged after it into the shadow—only to be kicked out the next second, landing squarely on its rear.

It even bounced twice, wonderfully springy.

"Genga."

Gengar was stunned.

Baimu hugged the gray fat one, waved his hand at Demon God Hu Pa to hold off violence, and called to the shadow: "Marshadow, do you remember this place?"

The Cursed Doll above also cried out impatiently: "You promised me you'd bring him back! Why hasn't he come to me yet? Are you lying to me?"

The words faded.

The shadow rippled.

Marshadow surfaced, as if only now beginning to observe the people below and the Cursed Doll above.

At the same moment, Demon God Hu Pa suddenly opened the light wheel and brought back Shanren, who had been struggling to contact those underground—now he couldn't believe his luck.

"What's the situation?"

His expression changed when he saw Marshadow.

Baimu told Shanren: "The Dragon and Grandfather don't seem dead. This Pokémon named Marshadow took away their remains. The Cursed Doll says Marshadow can revive the Dragon and Grandfather."

"Really?"

Shanren's face lit up with joy, then asked: "So where are the Dragon and Grandfather now—"

He froze in place.

Baimu, seeing his stunned expression, whirled around—and immediately saw Marshadow pointing an odd finger at him, its face utterly expressionless.

"What—"

"He's the descendant of Long He, not the person I'm looking for! Marshadow, we made a pact!" The Cursed Doll vibrated with psychic anger.

Marshadow remained silent, looked up at the Cursed Doll once, and kept its finger pointed at Baimu: "Masi!"

"Baimu-kun, it means you are Long He."

Furong frowned.

Demon God Hu Pa and Gengar's mouths hung open in "O" shapes; Dragonite also widened its eyes.

And the Cursed Doll suddenly fell silent.

Baimu's heart lurched. He nodded, voice low: "I understand… Marshadow, why do you say I'm Long He? I have no memories of my grandfather!"

Marshadow leaped backward, putting distance between itself and the group.

Then—

A hazy shadow spilled from its body, landing where the light fell, revealing a strange animation composed entirely of black shadows.

First scene: The Cursed Doll clutched Long He's shattered remains, wailing. Beneath it, a vortex surfaced—Marshadow emerged from within.

Second scene: Marshadow approached the Cursed Doll; they spoke. Then Marshadow gathered and carried off Long He's remains.

Third scene: Marshadow arrived at a forest, found a pillar, and stood there for a very, very long time.

Fourth scene: Marshadow turned away from the forest and came to a deserted small town.

Fifth scene: The sun and moon in the sky changed endlessly—until one day, a giant bird flew overhead, and a feather fell, caught by Marshadow.

Sixth scene: Marshadow placed the feather atop a pile of white bones. Light burst forth, burning both bones and feather to ash—leaving not a single trace behind.

Seventh scene: Suddenly, Marshadow held a baby. It arrived at a small town, performed what seemed like hypnosis on the townspeople, then handed the baby to them.

Eighth scene: Marshadow silently guarded the baby until he grew into a teenager, then slipped away quietly.

The three present were no fools. Though the gap between the ashes and the baby's origin was clearly missing, they all fell silent after absorbing Marshadow's message.

It pointed again at Baimu, looked up at the Cursed Doll, and cried: "Masi!"

"You—you! You really are! No wonder you look so much alike! But why is your soul different? What happened?"

The Cursed Doll seemed unable to accept this, then as if suddenly remembering something, grew agitated and shouted: "It doesn't matter! You are you—you won't change! The time has come!"

The gray-purple vortex trembled violently.

Everyone looked up—the Cursed Doll was straining desperately to squeeze out from within, but ultimately failed. It only pulled open its zipper-like mouth.

A trickle of light descended from within, floating downward toward Baimu.

Furong's face turned ashen. She raised her bell sharply and shouted: "Baimu-kun! Get away! Don't touch that!"

Baimu reacted instantly, leaping backward—but the light points, as if with eyes, surged toward him furiously. Even Furong's bell, raising a shield of light, could not stop them from pouring in.

The points of light struck like countless heavy hammers, leaving him dizzy and unable to stand steady.

Vaguely.

He heard Furong shouting:

"Stop! You can't do this! You're harming him! Scattered memory fragments will only drive a person mad!"

"Impossible! As long as he digests these memories! He'll remember! He'll come back!" the Curse Doll snarled. "I've waited decades for this day!"

What the hell…

I've become my own grandfather…

Dear big brother Alzeus, what on earth are you up to.

That was All Baimu's sole thought after passing out.