"Rei, this wasn't what you originally wanted, was it?"
Summer's voice was soft as he looked down at Rei, who was kneeling on the ground.
"...Maybe not," Rei murmured. "Back at Snowpoint Temple, when I saw Staraptor fall in battle… something inside me tightened. My own delusions had led to its suffering."
He clenched his fists. "Summer, you're strong, and so are your Pokémon, but what I truly envy is the bond you share with them. At some point… I forgot what Dawn once told me."
He punched the ground.
"'When a Trainer and their Pokémon understand each other, they can unleash limitless strength.' That's what she told me after I lost to her in our first battle.
"I didn't think much of it at the time. I mean, she had lost her memories—so why could she still say something like that? But as I traveled with Pikachu, I finally started to understand what she meant.
"It went from attacking me on sight… to knowing exactly what I was thinking with just a glance. Hah. That's trust, isn't it?"
Rei took a deep breath, then stood up, staring directly at Summer.
"Summer," he said, his voice quiet but resolute. "Battle me. If I win… promise me you'll grant my request."
Summer studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Alright. Milotic."
He didn't refuse. With Milotic by his side, he had nothing to fear from Darkrai, and judging by Rei's current state, he wasn't planning to go back on his word.
Milotic gracefully summoned water bubbles, lifting the Poké Balls from the ground and floating them gently toward Rei. He caught them with both hands, holding them tightly.
Rei exhaled. "Rei of the Galaxy Team's Survey Corps… challenges you to a battle!" He threw a Poké Ball. "Go! Mr. Mime!"
The psychic Pokémon twirled its hands and landed with a flourish. As Rei gazed at its back, memories flooded his mind—he had met it when it was still a Mime Jr., back in the village outskirts. It had helped him so much on his journey.
"Corviknight, I'll be counting on you."
A deep caw echoed through the night as Corviknight spread its black wings, its crimson eyes gleaming ominously in the darkness.
"I'll be the referee." Ingo stepped forward, standing between them with a firm posture. "Let this battle help Rei find clarity."
"Light Screen!" Rei commanded.
"Taunt!"
Before Mr. Mime could even react, Corviknight let out a sharp screech, surrounding it in a dark, menacing aura. Mr. Mime flinched—rage surged through its body, overriding any defensive thoughts.
"No time for it to recover—Steel Wing!"
Corviknight's wings gleamed with a metallic sheen as it dove at Mr. Mime. The attack landed cleanly, sending Mr. Mime skidding across the ground. Normally, it would have thrown up a barrier to defend itself… but with its mind clouded by fury, it hadn't even tried.
"Mr. Mime is unable to battle!" Ingo declared.
Rei clenched his teeth before recalling it. "...I learned something there." He took out another Poké Ball. "Go, Pikachu!"
The electric mouse Pokémon appeared, its tail crackling with sparks. Rei couldn't help but smile—he still remembered the day Pikachu evolved, how thrilled they both had been when he found that Thunder Stone.
Summer recalled Corviknight.
The raven Pokémon turned its head, squawking in protest. Seriously? I was just getting started!
But when it saw the determined look in Summer's eyes, it huffed and returned to its Poké Ball.
"You're my first partner too," Summer murmured, throwing out another Poké Ball. "Go, Rillaboom!"
The massive grass-type landed with a thud, gripping its wooden drumsticks. It could already feel the emotions in Summer's heart—this battle wasn't just about winning.
"Quick Attack!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu dashed forward like a bolt of lightning, aiming straight for Rillaboom's chest. Midair, it twisted, its tail glowing silver—it was ready to follow up with Iron Tail.
"Rushing in like that is a mistake. Rillaboom, High Horsepower!"
With a powerful roar, Rillaboom raised both fists high before slamming them down. The sheer force sent Pikachu crashing into the ground with a heavy thud.
"Pikachu is unable to battle!"
Rei winced. "...So you know that move too, huh?" He called Pikachu back and immediately sent out his next Pokémon. "Go, Staraptor!"
The large bird Pokémon let out a sharp cry, flapping its wings as it soared overhead. Rei watched it with a small, nostalgic smile—it was the first Pokémon he had ever caught by himself.
Summer recalled Rillaboom and sent out his next Pokémon. "Ogerpon, it's your turn."
The masked Pokémon landed lightly on the battlefield, gripping its thorned club. Seeing Staraptor, Ogerpon switched to its Rock-type mask, adjusting itself for battle.
"A different mask?" Rei's eyes narrowed. "But that color… Staraptor, Close Combat!"
"Staaa!"
Staraptor dove like a bullet, striking with everything it had—beak, wings, talons. It threw every ounce of strength into its assault, steam rising from its body as it pushed itself to the limit.
But when the dust settled, Ogerpon still stood.
"What?! Isn't it Rock-type?!" Rei's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You guessed right. But Ogerpon's Ability is Sturdy." Summer smirked. "Now, Thorned Whip!"
With a fierce growl, Ogerpon swung its spiked vine-like club, striking hard against Staraptor's weakened body. The impact sent it crashing to the ground.
"Staraptor is unable to battle!"
"...Abilities are important in battle, huh?" Rei murmured, smiling faintly. He recalled Staraptor, then held up his final Poké Ball.
"Darkrai!"
A wave of darkness unfurled as Darkrai emerged, its tendrils swirling like shadows. Tonight was its strongest night.
Summer narrowed his eyes. "So this is your last Pokémon."
Rei exhaled, meeting Darkrai's gaze. "You're strong, Summer… but this battle isn't over yet."
He thought back to when he first met Darkrai. Everything had started with two unfinished investigations—one about nightmares, the other about fields of gratitude. Darkrai had been the source of the former.
Capturing it had been one of the hardest fights Rei had ever faced. He had even cheated, borrowing Dawn's Pokémon to subdue it.
But in time, he had learned its true nature.
Darkrai wasn't evil—it was just lonely. Shunned by both people and Pokémon alike because of its power.
And now… because of his own selfishness, he had made it hurt others.
"…I was such a fool." Rei clenched his fists.
"Summer," he said, taking a deep breath. "Let's finish this battle. I only have one Pokémon left—but I'm not going down without a fight!"
Darkrai's tendrils coiled, its blue eyes glowing fiercely. It wouldn't lose like last time.
Summer smiled slightly.
"Strong, huh?" he murmured. "Alright. Come back, Ogerpon."
As he recalled his Pokémon, Ogerpon adjusted its mask one last time before vanishing into the Poké Ball.
"Milotic, you're up."
The elegant water serpent emerged gracefully, its amber eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
Tonight… would be a battle to remember.
(End of Chapter)