Chapter 316: Chapter 316

In many Pokémon Pokédex entries, there are descriptions of creating a black hole to transport people. However, the only Pokémon that can use this move to its utmost mastery is just one.

For some reason, the very first target swallowed by the black hole was Skyla. Her eyes widened, and in the next instant, she was engulfed into the nightmare world!

“Skyla!” Shauntal reacted instantly, releasing her Chandelure. Its elegant ghostly flames burned brilliantly as it lifted both her and Granny Wind into the air.

“This room is filled with nightmare energy—this is Darkrai’s move: Dark Void.”

Hikaru himself was immune to nightmare energy. No matter how strong Dark Void became, it could never drag him in!

But why Skyla?

Her only connection to Lentimas Town was flying in supplies because of the shortage of daily necessities. From her earlier behavior, she seemed to recognize that undead girl here—perhaps a childhood friend. But what did all this have to do with Darkrai?

“Nightmares can’t corrode me, but I can enter them voluntarily.”

“Shauntal-san, please wait here for a while. I’ll bring Skyla back… and also take care of that Darkrai!”

“Da–Darkrai?”

Shauntal had many questions, but Hikaru had already leapt straight into the Dark Void.

“That’s a Mythical Pokémon from the faraway Sinnoh region.”

Granny Wind explained to Shauntal:

“The original owners of the Stranger’s House—the girl’s parents—collected many books in the basement to find a way to deal with the nightmares. Among them was mention of Darkrai.”

“In Sinnoh’s Canalave City, there are records that Darkrai appears on moonless nights, bringing terrifying nightmares. There were incidents where an entire village suffered nightmares at once on a moonless night, and the villagers claimed the Pokémon in their dreams was this very one.”

“Darkrai’s nightmares drain human life until they die. Many people across regions have perished from nightmares. To counter this power, a legend of Cresselia has been passed down in Sinnoh—its wings shine like a crescent moon, capable of driving away nightmares.”

Shauntal’s brows furrowed as she looked at the fading Dark Void and the roiling mist gate. In the end, she chose not to act rashly.

As a Ghost-type specialist, she was at a disadvantage against Dark-types. There was little she could do.

All that remained—was to wait.

When Skyla woke up, she found herself inside an airplane.

“Huh? Wasn’t I in the Stranger’s House? Why am I in a plane?”

“My body… I’ve turned into a child?”

Shocked, Skyla looked down at herself. She had returned to her ten-year-old self. Outside, the sky was pitch-black, rolling clouds flickered with lightning, and violent turbulence shook the plane uncontrollably!

“Ugh! I need to adjust altitude right away!”

She scrambled to operate the controls—only to realize she couldn’t understand the instruments.

The flying techniques that were once second nature to her now seemed forgotten. Unable to read, unable to understand, she fumbled helplessly in the cockpit like a novice. Panic and dread welled up inside her.

But why? She was supposed to be a genius pilot, someone who learned to fly from a very young age!

“Why… why can’t I remember?”

She slapped the console with both hands, her face pale, mind blank. In the dark storm outside, something was approaching closer and closer!

Don’t come closer! Stay away!

Smack!

“You’ve forgotten how to fly—that is your nightmare, Skyla.”

“But this isn’t merely sleep. This is another nightmare world.”

Hearing that familiar voice, Skyla turned around in delight—only to see Hikaru, looking exactly the same as always.

“You—you’re here?! But weren’t we in the Stranger’s House?”

“You still remember that place, which means you haven’t fully fallen into the nightmare. Look—your body is glowing.”

“Eh? Really?!” Skyla noticed the glow at her waist. Lifting it up, she found it was the Lunar Wing Hikaru had given her!

Hikaru stared at it. “Even though it’s only my replica, it still works—even here in a true nightmare world.”

The imitation Lunar Wing wasn’t just glowing—it shone through the cockpit windows, guiding them toward the exit of the nightmare.

[Triggered! Instant Cross-World Communication Event!]

[Description: You have entered a nightmare world created by a Darkrai, the very source of this nightmare power! In such a world, there is only one exit, hidden within the victim’s memories. Follow the Lunar Wing’s glow, guide the passion in your soul, and when sadness and pain fade, you can escape the nightmare!]

[People’s dreams and other worlds are interconnected. In special places, this can be confirmed!]

[Here lies a hidden item from another world’s Pokémon. Use the C-Device to reveal a fragment of this world?]

Hikaru sat at the pilot’s seat. “I can feel it—in those storm clouds, sadness and pain swirl. It’s the same emotions we felt back in the Stranger’s House.”

“Something’s closing in from the dark!”

“Let me handle the controls.”

“You can fly a plane?” The childlike Skyla blinked curiously.

Hikaru smiled. “Learned it from a rich young master.”

That was the value of training under James and his twenty-three private tutors.

If he could fly a plane, a rocket wouldn’t be a problem either!

Once Hikaru took over, the turbulence lessened and the plane steadily gained altitude. The shadows pursuing them began to recede.

Skyla was astonished.

Such refined flying skills—was this traveler once an elite pilot?

The storm clouds gradually dispersed. The nightmare’s hold weakened. Watching Hikaru’s back as he piloted, her heart grew calm. She settled into the co-pilot’s seat.

“These storm clouds embody the nightmare. To break through, I’ll need your help.”

“That Pokémon is hiding among them, following us through the skies.”

Hikaru could sense its presence—the sorrowful creature, cloaked in pain.

“Release your memories,” he said, channeling his psychic power. “When passion surges, nightmares fade—and the hidden Pokémon will show itself.”

“Link your heart to mine—let me help you remember.”

Their emotions connected as Hikaru flew.

“If this is a nightmare, then it must be about my childhood… that time.”

Skyla recalled:

“When I was little, my grandfather took me flying. I admired him so much, wanting to be a great pilot like him. But that day, the weather was terrible. Thunderstorms, clouds, turbulence shaking the plane nonstop.”

“It was my first time in the sky. I cried and screamed, thinking I was going to die.”

“But Grandpa comforted me. He told me the sky wasn’t so frightening. Bad weather was normal. A true pilot doesn’t always fly smoothly—but never loses courage, even if thrown around. To soar, one must first conquer fear.”

“The sky isn’t always blue with white clouds. Sometimes it storms. There are skies fit for flying—and skies that aren’t. The sky is alive.”

“I remember… we landed that day in Lentimas Town.”

Skyla pressed against the console, staring at the storm ahead.

“The clouds are rushing at us!”

“It’s fine! Let’s fly right over!”

They broke through the black thunderheads. The plane danced impossibly through the storm, leaving dark winds behind.

Skyla’s eyes lit up.

This was the same kind of flight—just like her grandfather once showed her!

After a long silence, she said: “Y-your flying is incredible! Even if this is a nightmare, in reality you must be an amazing pilot too?”

Hikaru chuckled. “Compared to you, I’m still far behind. I only use psychic powers to smooth things out.”

“Eh~ that’s cheating!”

Yet her curiosity and competitiveness only grew.

“Even without Flying-type Pokémon, you’re born for the sky! If you catch one, let’s fly together someday. I invite all kindred spirits of the sky!”

“Do you know about the Pokémon Sky Ring Tournament? Or Sky Battles in Kalos? I’ve always wanted to compete in both—let’s go together someday!”

Hikaru laughed. “Flying a plane doesn’t mean I can raise Flying-types well.”

“No! Flying with Pokémon lets you truly feel the wind. And you… you carry the aura of a gentle breeze.”

Hikaru knew it came from his special knowledge and the Verdant Orb.

“Maybe so. If I do get a Flying-type, let’s soar together again.”

“Altitude rising—we’re breaking through the clouds!”

Above, they emerged into the vast, moonless night sky. Only a single star gleamed brightly.

Skyla instinctively raised the Lunar Wing. Its emerald glow pierced the glass, aiming straight at that lone star.

“So pretty… just one star, but all the fear has vanished.”

“Even in a nightmare sky, there are stars. And wind.”

Closing her eyes, she let the childhood fears melt away. A pure smile touched her lips.

“You are the wind.”

“The radiant, warming wind that blows away the clouds.”

『Your bond with Skyla has greatly increased!』

[New Profession Unlocked: Pilot! (Boostable by the Sky Plate)]

[Flying-type Pokémon friendship greatly enhanced; unique understanding of flight gained!]

[Extras: Flight skill doubled, eyesight enhanced!]

[Craftable Items: Flying Taxi (Cabin), Z.Z. Flyer, Mistralton Cannon, Balloon, Sharp Beak, Jet Ball series (requires craft).]

“Thank you—I remember everything now! All about flying!”

Skyla’s body aged back to sixteen, regaining her true self.

“Clouds drift away one after another—new skies open ahead! Look—I can see the Pokémon that’s been following us!”

“Pilots have sharp eyesight!”

Out of the nightmare clouds burst the Pokémon, trailing them toward the starry void. Its sorrow seemed lighter.

A shadowy figure, black as night. Wisps of white “hair” covered most of its face, revealing only piercing blue eyes. A red, jagged collar flared around its neck. Black tatters trailed from its shoulders, and clawed black hands stretched out.

“That’s Darkrai! The nightmare-bringer. Its power forces people to relive their deepest fears, an endless dark dream. Only Cresselia’s Lunar Wing can drive it away.”

“But this Darkrai… it doesn’t look right?”

Darkrai floated alongside, cloaked in thick black fog, staring at the lone star above. Its cry rang out—no longer filled with sorrow and rage, but with clarity.

Skyla’s emotions touched it, pulling it from madness.

Its voice resounded in their hearts:

[The shadows, sorrow, and pain… what is this warmth I feel? Who are you?]

Hikaru sensed the immense energy—but beneath the fierce Dark-type aura, its life force was faint.

Like a dying flame, its soul flickered, on the verge of extinction.

Skyla’s face grew solemn. She could sense it too.

“You… you’re dying, aren’t you?”

Hikaru glanced at her. Indeed, she possessed a special sensitivity to souls.

“It’s true,” he said. “Its spirit is weakening. Its life nearly gone.”

“So that’s why it chose you.”

Hikaru understood. Even in madness, it longed to fly toward the stars. That was why Skyla, the sky’s child, was dragged into the nightmare.

Endlessly flying—toward the top of the sky.

This Darkrai… could it be the mysterious one said to dwell in Unova?

Darkrai gazed at them, at the revived undead girl, with surprise, then joy and guilt.

It didn’t answer Skyla’s question—only looked once at her, then at Hikaru.

[Neither humans nor Pokémon grow old with time alone. Only when their inner energy is spent do they weaken.]

[I—Darkrai—was born of nightmares, shadows, and the new moon.]

[Long ago, I fell from the stars, the power of heaven clinging to me.]

[This land was torn by strife and killing. People’s pain, sorrow, anger, malice… they swirled into me, eroding heaven’s gift. That power was no blessing—but a curse, birthing abyss upon abyss.]

[Were I not dying, I could have restrained the nightmares. But life here is fragile. Once caught in a nightmare, they die so easily.]

[Now, I too will die. It is my chosen end. Yet, just as I resolved to fade away, a family wandered into my hiding place…]

(End of Chapter)

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