The gang soon arrived at a location known as Maiden's Peak.
"It's said that a woman died here and her spirit merged with the cliff side." Mark explained.
"Really?" Misty asked him.
She hadn't heard that story before.
"That's what I heard people say at least." Mark retorted.
Brock then spotted a attractive woman with light purple hair on the docks. He had no idea it was actually a Pokemon.
The trio caught sight of a festival underway.
"This is the annual end of year summer festival. We hold it every year to celebrate the end of summer and the legend of the ghost of Maiden's Peak." One of the residents explained.
"This sounds fun." Mark commented.
He, Misty and Brock enjoyed the festival.
The story of the legend was told to them.
It started 2000 years ago. Men from the Kanto Region were sent off to war. The maiden from Maiden's Peak was in love with one of the soldiers and waited for his return on the cliff. He never returned though as he was killed during the war. The maiden wasn't convinced and waited for his return for the remainder of her life. Her body merged with the cliff and her spirit still waits for her lover.
"This annual festival is also the anniversary of the soldiers heading off to war." Mark explained.
Tomorrow night, the townspeople were going to send candles on paper lanterns into the ocean. The purpose of the candled lanterns was to help spirits head to the afterlife.
That evening...
Mark, Brock and Misty spent the evening in the Pokemon Center.
"I can't get that story out of my head." Misty told her friends. "It's sad the maiden wasn't able to spend the rest of her life with the one she loved."
Mark didn't hear a word Misty said. He was presently lost in thought.
He then typed on his laptop, trying to find something.
"What are you looking for?" Misty asked after coming over to him.
"This." A image of some parchments popped up on the screen.
"It says on this screen that a man named Yamato fought in that war 2000 years ago and survived. He wrote about his achievements on some parchments. He even befriended the soldier that the maiden fell in love with."
"Are the parchments still around?" Brock asked.
"No, but his story was transferred from scrolls to books. I can read it on my computer."
"That's amazing." Misty said. "Does it mention the maiden's lover?"
"Yeah. He was killed in battle. Prior to dying, he asked Yamato to give the ring in this box to his lover."
"Why's it not with the maiden then?" Misty asked.
"Because Yamato became ill and passed on not long after getting back to Pallet Town." Mark informed her. "As a result, his friends and family never figured out who the ring belonged to. For the last 2000 years, this ring and the story have been a tribute to him."
"Why is in your possession?" Brock asked.
"I once requested Prof. Oak to tell me this story." Mark responded. "After listening to it, I decided that I would give the ring back."
