On the screen, Darkrai's body slowly dispersed like drifting ashes.
Everyone's gaze froze. Their eyes widened, mouths hanging open in utter disbelief.
Dead.
The deity that commanded nightmares—Darkrai—was dead?!
In the Pokémon world, every Pokémon research professor found it hard to believe.
Legendary Pokémon… were synonymous with overwhelming power.
They were the embodiment of the world's natural forces.
And yet now, a legendary Pokémon had died right before their eyes.
And it had died to protect a human city.
"Hmph, what a foolish creature."
In the Dragon Ball world, Frieza watched as Darkrai willingly gave up its life to protect humanity. A mocking sneer spread across his face.
"If one does not live for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them."
To him, Darkrai's actions were utterly idiotic. With its power, it could have left at any time.
Yet it stubbornly chose to protect humans, ending in total annihilation.
"As expected, things like emotion, kinship, and friendship can all be discarded."
Frieza spoke indifferently. The Frost Demon clan had always been cold-blooded—there was no such thing as affection between father and son, or between brothers.
…
"I-It's dead… how pitiful…"
"Was it really worth it? That girl is already gone. A city can be rebuilt. But for a small garden… it gave up its life?"
In the world of Ling Cage, Xia Dou couldn't understand.
Even knowing this was a story from another world, being immersed in the video made everything feel real.
Watching Darkrai sacrifice itself for a promise made countless years ago—for something long gone, for a mere garden—
Her chest felt tight.
Beside her, Bai Yuekui remained silent.
In the wasteland world they lived in, one's own life was the most important thing.
And yet… who could truly say Darkrai's choice was meaningless?
…
In the Bleach world.
Hueco Mundo… Las Noches…
"A promise? Giving up one's life for a dead human… I thought such emotions only existed in humans. I didn't expect even a beast to possess them."
The speaker had short black hair, with half of a broken mask covering the left side of his head.
He was one of Aizen's Ten Espada—the Fourth Espada, Ulquiorra Cifer.
A trace of confusion flickered in his pale green eyes. He raised a hand to his chest.
"Why is it that even beasts possess such emotions… yet I do not?"
"Is it because… I have no heart?"
"What exactly… is a heart?"
…
"He's a hero."
On King Kai's planet, Goku watched Darkrai sacrifice itself to save the city, deeply moved.
Wasn't his own death the same?
For his family, for Earth, he had chosen to perish together with his brother, Raditz.
Now, as a spirit, he was training under King Kai.
Because in one year, Earth would face an even greater crisis.
Stronger Saiyans would arrive.
So he had to grow stronger… so that he wouldn't repeat the same fate.
…
In the Pokémon world.
Countless Trainers felt regret at Darkrai's death.
They had misunderstood Darkrai all along.
Wherever it went, people fell into nightmares—not because it wished harm, but because it couldn't control it.
It was an inherent trait.
Just like red-hot iron burns to the touch.
Or ice brings cold.
These were natural properties—things beyond their control.
In the chat:
"What a pity… Darkrai." — Steven
"Indeed. It seems our understanding of Pokémon is still far too shallow. The Nightmare Pokémon is not an enemy of humanity." — Professor Kukui
"We must be more rigorous in the future. Darkrai is a hero of humanity—its death is glorious!" — Professor Birch
The Pokémon professors all felt uneasy.
Their very purpose was to study Pokémon.
Yet watching Darkrai on the screen, they felt nothing but shame.
Renowned Pokémon professors?
What a joke.
If not for this ranking video clearing Darkrai's name—
Even in death, it would have borne hatred and the stigma of being hostile to humans.
…
However, aside from Darkrai's sacrifice—
Many noticed another crucial piece of information.
[Second-Tier Legendary: Darkrai.]
[Not a match for the First-Tier Legendaries who govern time and space—Palkia and Dialga.]
Two key terms appeared in the ranking:
Second-Tier Legendary.
First-Tier Legendary.
So, as expected, there were levels even among Legendary Pokémon.
Ever since learning that Entei, Raikou, and Suicune were created by Ho-Oh, Professor Oak and the others had realized—
Even among Legendaries, there were clear differences in rank.
Though all were called "Legendary Pokémon," the gap in strength could be vast.
Second-Tier… First-Tier…
"There should also be Third-Tier Legendaries. The presence of Suicune, Entei, and Raikou feels weaker than Darkrai. They likely belong to the Third Tier," Professor Oak speculated.
The video continued.
But the scene suddenly shifted.
[Time and space were originally two completely separate dimensions.]
[Palkia and Dialga each reside in their own subspace, positioned on opposite sides of the main world—never intersecting.]
[Palkia is responsible for the stability of space, slumbering eternally within its dimension.]
[Dialga governs the flow of time, also in constant slumber. Each beat of its heart advances time in the world by one second.]
On the screen, three spheres appeared.
One large, two small.
The large sphere was lush and vibrant—this was the main world where Pokémon lived.
The two smaller spheres orbited it like satellites, positioned at opposite ends.
Within those two smaller spheres, two beings lay in deep slumber.
Palkia and Dialga.
Everyone understood—this must be before their conflict began.
The video was explaining the cause and origin of their battle.
Because according to the narration, time and space should never intersect.
So why did these two Legendary Pokémon fight?
"Look! The two subspaces are getting closer!"
Sure enough, under the influence of some mysterious force, the two dimensions that should never meet began to merge.
[The fusion of time and space awakened both Legendary Pokémon.]
[The moment they opened their eyes, they saw each other.]
[In an instant, each believed the other had invaded its domain.]
[And thus… the battle began.]