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Under the dark cloak of night, two figures moved like shadows, weaving through jagged cliffs and silent trees—
Sam and Lucario.
Their destination:
The highest peak of Mine Island—the epicenter of the nightmare.
Lucario's pace was fast and agile, his movements fluid like a blur of silver under the moonlight.
But even as a human, Sam kept up, muscles straining, breath controlled.
In this world, physical fitness was a norm, not an exception.
And with the power of Aura now coursing through his body, Sam had transcended even further.
Not quite like a Pokémon…
But no longer just a man either.
"Luka~!"
Lucario let out a low bark, a warning—they were close.
Sam nodded sharply.
"I feel it too. Stay sharp, Luca."
The champion-level Lucario didn't need the reminder.
Aura energy flowed across his body in visible ripples, scanning the surrounding area, his posture alert and coiled like a loaded spring.
The air was thick.
Heavy.
As if the night itself was breathing wrong.
Moments later, they crested the final ridge.
And there it was.
Darkrai.
Floating amidst swirling shadows like a demon born from the void.
Its body writhed in spasms of darkness.
"HISSSHHHRRAAAHH!!!"
The bloodshot eyes.
The pulses of black Haze pouring from its form like acid.
The high-pitched wails that echoed like cries of a tormented soul.
Sam clenched his fists.
"It's completely lost control…"
He narrowed his eyes and focused.
"System—activate Eye of Detection!"
A translucent overlay slid into his vision. Data surged:
[Pokémon: Darkrai]
[Type: Dark]
[Ability: Nightmare – Inflicts stamina loss when target is asleep.]
[Level: 60 (Entry Champion Class)]
[Potential: Low-Class Tier 3 Legendary]
[Moves: Ominous Wind, Disable, Hypnosis, Sucker Punch, Foul Play, Double Team, Haze, Dark Pulse…]
[Exclusive Skill: Dark Void]
[Contest Condition: Berserk, Affected by an unknown soundwave frequency. Energy flow is in disarray. Aggressive behavior imminent.]
[Remark: Legendary physique. Natural affinity for dark energy. Fast growth curve.]
[Warning: Prolonged exposure to this berserk state will cause permanent psychological trauma.]
Sam's brows furrowed in concern.
"Soundwaves?"
"Someone's deliberately destabilizing its energy…"
Lucario's growl deepened beside him, Aura flickering brighter, reacting to the malicious resonance in the air.
"It's being driven mad on purpose."
Sam's gaze sharpened as he looked beyond Darkrai—toward the cliff's southern shadow.
Faint heat signatures… movement… binoculars glinting in the dark.
"We're not alone up here."
"Luca. Someone's watching. Possibly responsible."
Lucario nodded, shifting to a defensive stance, his aura intensifying in anticipation.
Sam reached into his coat pocket, brushing his fingertips across a Poké Ball—not to use it, but ready for anything.
The night was no longer silent.
It pulsed.
Breathing with malice and manipulation.
"Hold on, Darkrai…"
"We're going to fix this."
Most Pokémon categorized as Tier 2 or Tier 3 Legendarys, or even classified as Legendary Pokémon, were solitary by nature.
But they weren't alone; they had species, habitats, and histories.
Even a rare Pokémon like Darkrai—feared and revered—was not entirely alone in the world.
There were four confirmed in the anime.
Yet the one standing before Sam now... was different.
It was corrupted.
Broken.
Bleeding aura into the sky like a rift of nightmares torn open.
Sam narrowed his eyes.
"Drugged… or destabilized by artificial frequencies."
"That's why Darkrai's aura is spilling out of control…"
"The insomnia across Mine Island… it's not natural."
As if responding to his realization, a clear chime rang out in his mind—
[Ding! The host has triggered a Random Mission.]
[Mission Objective: Subdue the berserk Darkrai]
[Reward: Viridian Force]
[Punishment: None]
[Viridian Force – Effect 1: Heals both physical and spiritual damage in Pokémon]
[Effect 2: Grants vision through the perception of Pokémon]
[Does the host accept the mission?]
Sam's eyes lit up.
"Accept it."
With the power of Aura, he had already ascended beyond ordinary trainers.
Sharper senses. Faster reflexes. A deepened bond with Lucario.
And now, with the potential Power of Viridian?
He could become something much more.
A true link between Pokémon and human.
He looked at Lucario, who stood at his side like a sentinel, eyes burning with electric blue aura.
"Luca, this is it."
"Our first real opponent."
Lucario gave a low growl of excitement.
"Luka~!"
Gone was the playful ease from earlier matches.
This wasn't Ash's Pikachu anymore.
This was a duel between equals—between two beings who had walked the edge of strength.
"Let's go!"
Sam's coat flared as he sprinted forward, Lucario dashing alongside him in a blur of Aura energy.
High above, Darkrai reacted immediately.
Its blood-red eyes locked onto them.
"SSSHHHRYYYYYAAAH!!!"
The pent-up rage exploded.
Black tendrils of nightmare energy ripped from its body like lashes from a phantom god.
The shadow beneath Darkrai writhed and twisted unnaturally, ready to consume.
It had found targets.
Not prey—
But opponents.
—----------
Meanwhile, far off at the cliff's edge on the southern ridge of Mine Island…
Charon of Team Galactic lowered his telescope, face tightening with recognition.
"Samuel…?"
"Why is he here? He should still be in Celestic Town!"
Sird, standing beside him with her arms crossed and brows furrowed, turned slowly.
Her sharp eyes glinted coldly under the moonlight.
"Who?"
Charon didn't look away from the chaos unfolding.
"Sam… Scholar. Researcher. Celestic Laboratory."
"Known in Sinnoh's academic circles."
"…But he's not dangerous."
"Even the Elite Four know to respect him."
Sird clicked her tongue.
"Tch."
She had Darkrai nearly within her grasp.
And now this boy, this so-called "scholar," dares to interfere?
"Then I'll remember his name."
"Sam… Let's see how long you last against a god's nightmare."
Back on the battlefield—
Sam skidded to a halt as Lucario leapt ahead, striking the ground with a glowing Bone Rush to cancel out a Dark Pulse aimed their way.
Sam took a deep breath.
The air was heavy with malevolent dreams.
"Luca—Aura combat form."
Lucario nodded.
His aura surged.
he battle had truly begun.