Could this region be about to produce another Legendary Pokémon Master?
At the thought, Brutus and Lilith felt a surge of excitement. Their eyes shone with anticipation as they stared at the young boy standing atop Gyarados, his face still carrying a hint of youthful innocence.
...
The newcomer was none other than Aaron, who had rushed over.
Fortunately, he had arrived just in time. Otherwise, everyone here might already be dead.
Standing atop Gyarados's head, Aaron looked out over the scene below.
Bodies and severed limbs lay scattered everywhere. The ground was drenched in blood, staining the entire area crimson.
It was the first time he had witnessed such brutal combat in this world.
Aaron's expression slowly turned serious.
...
High above, Dr. Dov's expression darkened as he looked toward Aaron.
"Who exactly are you?"
But most of his attention remained fixed on the Nightmare Pokémon—Darkrai—hovering nearby.
He was clearly wary of it.
If Darkrai attacked without warning, he could be killed before he even had a chance to react.
Hearing the question, Aaron looked up at the strange-looking man in the sky. A curious glint flashed in his eyes.
Then he said calmly,
"I told you I came here to show off. Do you believe me?"
The moment the words left his mouth—
The entire area fell into a strange silence.
Not a sound could be heard.
Everyone: "..."
Brutus and Lilith: "..."
Dr. Dov: "..."
Brutus and Lilith's mouths twitched uncontrollably.
They were already struggling to keep themselves together. Hearing that nearly made them collapse on the spot.
This kid…
Someone seriously needed to punch him.
Dr. Dov was equally stunned.
For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
He stared at Aaron with those dark, hollow eyes and spoke through clenched teeth.
"Kid… are you messing with me?"
The aura around him began to thicken again, clearly building toward another attack.
"Huh?"
"You actually realized I was messing with you?"
Aaron looked genuinely surprised.
"You're smarter than I expected. I thought you were just a brute."
Dr. Dov's face instantly darkened.
A chilling aura radiated from him.
"Kid…"
"Die."
With that, Dr. Dov suddenly vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared directly above Aaron.
His enormous fist blazed with light as it smashed downward. The sheer force alone made the air around it explode.
Mega Punch!
But just as the attack was about to land—
A dark figure appeared silently between them.
Darkrai.
Its cyan-blue eye glowed faintly as it calmly looked at Dr. Dov.
Then it slowly raised its right hand.
And caught the punch.
Boom!
Dr. Dov's Mega Punch slammed into Darkrai's palm.
A violent shockwave burst outward in every direction as a thunderous impact echoed through the sky.
Yet the devastating attack was completely stopped by Darkrai's slender hand.
Darkrai didn't move even slightly.
It simply hovered there in the air. Its gaze remained calm and emotionless, perfectly still.
Dr. Dov's eyes trembled.
It felt as though his punch had struck an immovable wall. It didn't budge in the slightest.
A chill of fear crept into his chest. He instantly realized something.
He was no match for Darkrai.
In front of Darkrai, he was nothing more than a slightly larger insect.
He even had the unsettling feeling that this Darkrai might be stronger than the Moltres he served. Its strength was impossible to measure.
Cold sweat slid down Dr. Dov's forehead.
He swallowed hard.
"Darkrai… take him down!"
Aaron shouted coldly.
That bastard had actually tried to ambush him.
No honor at all.
At the command, a faint flicker crossed Darkrai's eye.
Then it grabbed Dr. Dov's fist—
And hurled him downward.
BOOM
Dr. Dov's body slammed violently into the ground.
"AAAH—!"
He spat out a mouthful of dark red blood as a scream of pain tore from his throat.
A deep crater formed where he landed.
"Cough… cough…"
Dr. Dov lay on the ground, coughing violently, his eyes filled with fear as he stared up at Darkrai.
Damn it…
How could such a powerful Legendary Pokémon still exist in this region?
Dr. Dov cursed furiously to himself.
The wings of the Salamence fused to his back beat violently, lifting him back into the air.
His face remained dark as he glared at Darkrai.
"If I'd had just a little more time…"
"I could have created the strongest Legendary Pokémon!"
"No… I can't die here."
"I have to escape."
The thought of retreat had already taken hold in Dr. Dov's mind.
There was still a grand plan waiting for him.
He had already obtained the genetic material of the Legendary Pokémon Mew.
Once he deciphered Mew's genetic code, he could create a Legendary Pokémon unlike anything the world had ever seen.
With that thought, Dr. Dov made his decision.
Dark energy rapidly gathered in his hands as multiple Shadow Balls formed.
He hurled them toward Darkrai.
"Die!"
One Shadow Ball after another shot forward.
But Darkrai moved like a phantom.
Each attack missed completely.
Dr. Dov's attacks didn't even come close to touching it.
Sweat poured down his face.
The longer the fight dragged on, the more terrifying Darkrai seemed.
Its power felt endless.
Just standing before it filled him with a helpless dread.
Suddenly, a surge of energy burst from Dr. Dov's body.
The red wings behind him beat violently.
His body turned into a streak of light and shot toward the horizon.
He was running away.
The sudden escape left Aaron, Brutus, Lilith, and the others completely stunned.
"Damn it!"
"We can't let him escape!"
Brutus immediately shouted to Aaron.
He knew exactly how dangerous Dr. Dov would be if he managed to survive.