Chapter 29 - The Road to Death

Hello readers! As I promised, a bonus chapter for hitting 20 power stones! Keep it up, only another twenty for a new bonus chapter!

Once again if you notice any mistakes, don't hesitate to let me know and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

---

People naturally fear the dark.

Being led by Gengar, the group quickly treks through the forest. The further they travel the less wild Pokémon appear around them.

A teacher familiar with the forest frowned when he noticed, and said, "Be careful, we've probably entered the territory of a powerful Pokémon."

It's not to say that the overall presence of Pokémon has fallen- no, to be precise, the number of powerful wild Pokémon has become almost non-existent. Because in this forest, only one king is allowed.

Anyone who enters the forest with a certain strength is considered a threat, and a king must deal with any threats to it's sovereignty.

Quinn looked to Gengar and asked, "Are we close?"

Gengar paused for a moment, searching the environment before saying, "Something's wrong, a Pokémon stronger than me is interfering with my senses!"

Before Gengar's warning could be said, a Jenny in front of him let out a cry, "That tree just moved!"

Everyone immediately focused their attention on the said tree.

At this time, another teacher yelled out, "It's not good, we're missing two teachers!"

Suddenly a cacophony of sharp laughter erupted from the surrounding forest, and all of the flashlights allowing them to see went out.

Without the light, the surroundings turned to darkness- blinding all those within.

Quinn could only tightly squeeze the Pokéball in his hand, trying to see anything through the dark.

"Everyone, hold the hand of the person next to you, don't run away!" cried one of the Jenny.

The voice had come from nearby, but towards the end of the sentence seemed to get further and further.

In a panic, Quinn grabbed someone's hand, but quickly felt something off about it... The hand is much too cold for anything alive.

Although he knew in his heart that it was a ghost-type scaring him, he still fell backwards towards the ground. But instead of feeling the sensation of hitting the ground, it seemed as if he had fallen into a bottomless pit, and Quinn suddenly felt as if he was skydiving.

Without warning, his surrounding were lit up by a few bursts of blue will'o'wisps. With the introduction of light, Quinn could easily see all of the Litwick surrounding him.

His heart felt as if it had been trampled by a herd of horses, but before he could put any more thought towards the horde of ghost-types he felt himself hit the ground.

Only then did he realize he had fallen into an illusion.

'Calm down Quinn! Calm down!' he thought.

"Gengar?" Quinn yelled out hoping for a response.

But instead of Gengar, the cacophony of laughter returned- drowning out any thoughts he had.

Without warning, dozens of Litwick appeared in front of Quinn- creating a path leading up the road nearby.

Visually, Litwick truly do look harmless- a candle with two stubby arms and cute smile.

They float on both sides of the blue road, looking at the human with innocent yellow eyes. Looking as if they're leading the way for those who are lost, pointing them towards safety.

But instead of thinking them cute and harmless as they appear, a cold sweat spread over Quinn.

He didn't know what the Pokédex entry for Litwick was here, but as someone who crossed over he knows very well that Litwick are horribly dangerous!

In the Pokédex entry he knows, Litwick will use multiple tricks to absorb the life energy of unsuspecting people. In a dark place, they will appear in front of the lost person, and then pretend to light the way and guide them to safety.

But instead of the guide they imagine, the Litwick is actually absorbing their life force! It's more like a road to death than a guide.

More importantly, the flame of a Litwick is usually extinguished, but when the vitality of humans or Pokémon is absorbed, the flame burns brighter. And the flame of all these Litwick are burning strong...

Seeing this, Quinn didn't hesitate to release Cramorant and Roselia from their Pokéballs.

Seeing Cramorant's dull face inspired a sense of safety within Quinn's heart.

Roselia sensed the danger and immediately prepared for combat.

"We are not malicious, I just want to recover the children who you took." Quinn said to the Litwick in a final attempt at preventing a battle.

But the only answer he received was a cold laughter, he felt the hairs on his neck stand up.

At this moment, he no longer hesitated and commanded, "Roselia, use Magical Leaf!"

He may not be able to win, but if he'd rather die fighting than accepting it laying down.

Roselia nodded firmly and raised its wrist slightly, and a strong green light shone from the petals of it's hands. From this light, dense and sharp leaves shot out, automatically tracking the nearby Litwick.

The magical leaf hit, and the figure of the Litwick shook- but it hadn't fainted! The other Litwick showed a sinister smile seeing him attack.

Before he could command Roselia to do anything, a horde of Shadow Balls was fired toward them! Multiple hit Roselia before she could react, and she directly fainted.

Quinn could only stare at the Shadow Balls as they grew larger and larger in his eyes.

Quinn can't tell how long these Litwick have been alive, but he and the newly evolved Roselia didn't stand a chance.

Quinn couldn't help but swear in his mind. He thought of the time Cramorant had fought back in the forest. Did he only attack cause he was in danger?

There's no time, he can only try it. He took a deep breath and yelled with all his strength, "Cramorant, use Frenzy Plant!"

Maybe he could feel the expectation from Quinn, or maybe understood just how much danger they were in- but Cramorant's eyes took on a serious edge as a terrifying aura rose from its body, and its body suddenly shone with the bright light of grass-type energy!

The energy suddenly shifted to the ground, and the earth shook!

Hundreds of roots appeared from the ground, covering hundreds of meters nearby.

They suddenly swung out, striking away the horde of Shadow Balls without any resistance.

Upon seeing the hundreds of roots hovering above them menacingly, the Litwick could only shiver before they were swatted into the ground.

At the same time, a presence in the haunted mansion awoke, sensing the strong presence of Cramorant.