Chapter 280: Darkrai's Rage

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"I knew it was him causing trouble behind the scenes. This just got even more interesting. How does this guy recover so quickly? Wait—what's up with those Team Magma members and their Pokémon? Why do they all look half-dead? Could he have used Dream Eater on all of them?"

Sato's heart sank as he observed the terrifying shadow floating above the Team Magma vessel ahead. 

His gaze shifted to the listless Team Magma members and their Pokémon near Darkrai, his sense of danger intensifying.

The Team Magma members stationed outside the cave, along with their Pokémon, were all pale as ghosts. Their faces bore a bloodless pallor, and many had rolled-back, white eyes, as if they'd been subjected to a harrowing ordeal. 

Thankfully, their faint chest movements confirmed they were still alive—for now.

Previously, Darkrai had been severely injured by Team Magma's secret weapon. Given its prolonged absence, it was clear the injury had been grave. 

Recovering fully in such a short time through its natural healing abilities should have been impossible.

But now, Darkrai appeared reinvigorated and fierce. 

Considering the state of the Team Magma members and their Pokémon, Sato quickly recalled the nightmare deity's terrifying power—not just to induce nightmares but to feed on them for its own recovery.

It seemed that Darkrai had issued an order, as the Ghost-type Pokémon in the secret passage had stopped pursuing Sato and the Team Magma members after they escaped. 

These Ghost-types remained lurking in the passage, their chilling gazes fixed on their quarry.

Noticing this reprieve, Sato and the others felt a slight reduction in their tension. Ignoring how terrifying Darkrai was up ahead, they hastened to descend from the cliffside cave entrance to the small beach below using their Flying-type Pokémon. 

Sato, still maintaining his disguise as a low-ranking Team Magma grunt, climbed down the rope ladder sluggishly, ensuring he was the last to rejoin the group.

"This thing absorbed our team members' dreams to heal itself significantly. But don't worry—it's not in peak condition yet," said Courtney, one of Team Magma's top three executives. 

"Its energy keeps waning, which means the weapon we created using Cresselia's Lunar Wing is still inflicting sustained damage. If we hold out long enough, it will retreat on its own."

Sato could see what was happening and Courtney, as of the Team Magma Executives, naturally also saw what was happening and she also noticed that the nightmare Pokemon's aura and energy was constantly weakening. 

Those who were still able to stand here were not weak trainers. After hearing her analysis, they too carefully observed Drakrai in front of them again. After confirming that it was indeed getting weaker, the hope of survival was suddenly reignited in their hearts. 

Upon scanning Darkrai, Sato also noted new entries in the data: "Severely Injured" and "Bleeding." 

Courtney's analysis was indeed accurate.

"So it's the Lunar Wing from Cresselia! No wonder it's so effective against Darkrai. The Lunar Wing dispels nightmares, and with its residual energy still affecting Darkrai, even its nightmare absorption abilities are significantly weakened. It might even backfire."

Seeing Darkrai's "weakened" state and connecting it with Courtney's explanation, Sato finally felt a glimmer of relief.

Courtney was right—Darkrai's current strength was likely boosted by something akin to a stimulant, granting it temporary peak performance. 

Once the effects wore off, it would revert to its injured state.

But even now, Darkrai remained a formidable foe. Temporarily reinvigorated, its level of danger hadn't diminished in the slightest. 

Understanding its condition, Darkrai launched its next attack the moment Sato, the final "Team Magma" member, rejoined the group.

A surge of Dark Pulse radiated from Darkrai. The black energy rings, small at first, rapidly expanded, covering an area large enough to engulf the entire group of Team Magma members.

"Ninetales, use Fire Blast!"

"Camerupt, Stone Edge!"

"Machamp, Light Screen!"

"Mightyena, Taunt!"

Darkrai's actions triggered immediate responses from the Team Magma trainers, who commanded their Pokémon to counterattack. Their teamwork was impeccable—stronger trainers like Courtney led the offense, while others focused on support roles.

Thanks to Machamp and other Pokémon setting up Light Screen, Darkrai's Dark Pulse was significantly weakened. 

This allowed the offensive Pokémon like Ninetales to successfully intercept and neutralize the attack.

Meanwhile, trainers with Pokémon capable of using Taunt quickly issued commands to prevent Darkrai from deploying Dark Void.

Darkrai, a Dark-type Legendary Pokémon, was visibly incensed by the repeated use of Taunt to lock it out of its signature move. It glared at the trainers responsible, then transformed into a shadow and darted toward the group at blinding speed.

"Damn it! Still using that move? You think we can't counter it?" roared one of the male Team Magma elites, visibly furious.

"Camerupt, use Earthquake!"

Darkrai's shadowy evasion technique wasn't invincible; it simply exploited the confined space of the earlier cave. 

Now, out in the open, the trainers had no reservations about unleashing powerful Ground-type moves.

At the command, Camerupt and other Pokémon with Earthquake poured their strength into the ground. 

The earth beneath Darkrai cracked violently, unleashing surges of Ground-type energy that erupted from below.

Caught mid-movement, Darkrai was struck by the Earthquake and sent hurtling into the air, sustaining serious damage.

"Raiii!"

Darkrai let out a sharp, piercing screech as it reeled from the attack. Its once-blue eyes turned blood-red, as if it had entered a berserk state.

Intense waves of dark energy radiated from its body, sending shockwaves through the air.

Moments later, the environment around Darkrai began to lose its color, turning into a terrifying grayscale void.

Everyone present—humans and Pokémon alike—found themselves wrapped in ominous black tendrils that bound their bodies, rendering them immobile.

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Sorry guys, I made a small mistake earlier after getting a bit confused, but I already fixed it. It was still Courtney leading in the earlier chapters, not another Magma Elite named Bonfire. Please keep it in mind.