Darkrai's special space shattered like glass, but the fact that it was still being attacked from three sides didn't change.
However, the situation wasn't exactly a crisis. The "low-powered" Sandstorm from Hippowdon was naturally ignored, and Charizard's interception speed was nowhere near as fast as Darkrai's speed.
As for the only real threat, it was merely Cresselia's Moonblast.
Without even turning its head, Darkrai casually flung a pitch-black Shadow Ball, not to counterattack, but just to detonate the Moonblast.
Taking advantage of the explosion, Darkrai had already slipped away from its original spot, though its eyes remained fixed on the Ralts in Sato's arms, not moving for quite a while.
Joseph assumed Darkrai was looking at Sato and couldn't help but hesitate slightly in his heart.
'Was Sato Darkrai's target!?'
But right after, Darkrai began retreating toward the sea, fending off Cresselia's attacks while gradually distancing itself from Lily of the Valley Island.
Another ten or so minutes passed, and no one could see either of the two Pokémon anymore. While everyone finally let out a breath of relief, what they felt even more was deep confusion.
Instead of staying quietly on Newmoon Island and Fullmoon Island, they ran all the way to Lily of the Valley Island to fight in front of so many people.
'Were they trying to boost their legendary fame? …Or did they just get too into the battle and stopped caring about anything else, just fighting for the thrill of it?'
Regardless of what those two Pokémon were ultimately after, at least for now, they were gone. It was just a false alarm.
"Reinforce the city perimeter. At night, send out Psychic Pokémon to monitor the dreams of the population. If there are any mass abnormalities, report them immediately!" Bertha ordered sternly.
"YES, MA'AM!" the League Trainers replied loudly. After saluting Bertha, they quickly departed.
Soon, League staff began clean-up operations to repair the environmental damage caused by the battle between Darkrai and the others.
Only then did Bertha turn her attention to Sato.
"That was a big improvement. I assume you won, Sato?" she asked with a satisfied smile.
"Just got lucky," Sato nodded. Now wasn't the time to act too full of himself.
"That was no luck… I lost fair and square!" Flint said sincerely, patting Sato on the shoulder with a trace of melancholy in his tone.
Sato pressed his lips together. 'I was just being humble. Whether you accept it or not, I really don't care.'
And just like that, the "city defense operation" came to an anticlimactic end. Though Bertha had increased patrol forces, everyone present knew that regular Trainers were useless against a Legendary Pokémon like Darkrai.
Oh! Except for Mark, who hadn't considered that point at all.
"If there's no rush, it might be best to wait a couple of days before leaving. Both people and Pokémon have been a little uneasy lately."
On the way back, Bertha reminded Sato, and he readily agreed.
Seeing how easily Sato agreed, Joseph's conviction grew stronger…
Darkrai's target was definitely Sato. And Sato knew it.
Sato and the others temporarily stayed at the Pokémon Center. During the day, everything was normal: training, reading, and no news at all of Darkrai returning.
The only thing different was that Ralts didn't fall asleep the entire day and started chasing Joseph around again asking for Sweet Milk… just like before.
As night fell and Lily of the Valley Island quieted down, Sato stepped out of the Pokémon Center with Ralts in his arms.
"Going to find Darkrai?" A familiar voice came from behind. Sato shrugged and turned to look at Joseph.
"I knew you were there."
"Is it dangerous? Want me to come with you?" Joseph skipped the small talk and asked directly.
"It should be fine. But just in case, if I'm not back by morning, check the beach to the north."
"Got it. Gallade!"
"Gallade!"
Sato raised his arm and looked at the mark still glowing faintly on it.
"Let's go, Honchkrow."
"Krow~"
Watching Sato and Honchkrow disappear into the night sky, Joseph pursed his lips and turned back toward the Pokémon Center.
---
Tonight, Lily of the Valley Island was covered in starlight. A full moon hung in the sky, and neither the moonlight nor the bright stars could illuminate Honchkrow as it melted into the darkness.
Covered in pitch-black feathers, Honchkrow was born of the night; nighttime was truly its stage.
"Yep, Flying-types with feathers are just better…" Sato said seriously as he sat atop Honchkrow.
Just think about Steven's all-steel Skarmory, or Lance's Dragonite covered in rough scales… obviously neither were as comfortable as riding Honchkrow.
"…If we're talking comfort, I only acknowledge Altaria. Wings like cotton… I always want to fall asleep on them," Ralts pouted while lying on top of Honchkrow's hat-like head feather.
"Krow-krow!"
Honchkrow shook its head in protest. If it's so uncomfortable, why ride me at all? But Ralts used Telekinesis to hold herself steady, there was no way she'd fall.
"Altaria's not as cool as Honchkrow. I think my Honchkrow is awesome," Sato said with a completely serious tone, patting Honchkrow beneath him.
"Krow Krowww!"
Honchkrow was ecstatic to hear that. It flapped its wings hard in delight. It had always believed it was the coolest, now that even Sato agreed, who would dare question it?
If they weren't flying in the sky, it would've given Sato a big ol' hug.
"Only the cry is a bit off…"
"K-Krow?"
The joy came to an abrupt halt. Honchkrow looked back at Sato with an expression like: 'I'm not your little cutie anymore.'
"Alright, alright~ Calm down. We're almost there," Sato said with a smile, signaling it was time to get serious.
Honchkrow turned its head away with a pout and gave a soft response… then suddenly sped up, flying swiftly toward the northern coast.
'Let's just finish this flight already!' Honchkrow thought silently.
Why not the eastern coast?
Because earlier that day, Darkrai and Cresselia had caused a major commotion there. Now the entire area was under lockdown, it would be far too easy to get spotted again.
And Ralts had been leading the way the whole time, clearly having communicated with Darkrai in advance and already knowing the meeting spot.
---
One human and two Pokémon gradually approached the beach. The ocean, with no light shining on it, looked especially quiet. Aside from the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, there was nothing else.
"Over there!"
Suddenly, Ralts pointed its tiny hand toward a spot on the beach.
There stood Darkrai, quietly waiting. If not for Sato's night vision, it would've been almost impossible to spot it from the sky.
Whoosh~
Honchkrow made a clumsy landing on the beach, kicking up a cloud of sand; it had only just evolved that day, and its suddenly larger body wasn't easy to control.
"Krow…"
Feeling too embarrassed, Honchkrow returned to its Poké Ball on its own, leaving Sato and Ralts to face Darkrai alone.
"…"
"…"