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The next day.
At dawn, Jacob, Raya, and the siblings Zion and Layne arrived as a group of four at the underground laboratory funded by Raya's investment.
The underground laboratory was expansive, equipped not only with experimental research areas but also residential quarters, a training gym, and recreational facilities.
At the same time, the equipment provided represented the most cutting-edge technology available internationally.
After completing their tour of the laboratory, Jacob proceeded directly to the facility's core area.
"This is currently the most advanced energy amplifier available internationally. There are no more than five units like this in all of China," Raya explained. "Using this instrument, energy can be continuously diffused outward, thereby achieving the effect of energy amplification."
"As long as the Prison Bottle is placed in the energy zone, with the assistance of this energy amplifier, the radiation range can exceed a hundred kilometers in diameter."
"As long as Darkrai is anywhere within the scope of Magic City, it will definitely be drawn to this location."
"We can conduct the first experiment at any time."
"However, I suggest scheduling the experiment for this evening. Although we don't know the Nightmare God's specific activity patterns, I believe there's a high probability it will appear during nighttime hours."
"I hope everyone remains alert and fully prepared. I don't want Darkrai to be attracted here, only for us to let it escape our grasp."
Night fell across Magic City.
Jacob, according to the original plan, positioned himself near the trapping device, quietly waiting for the operation to commence.
Beside him stood Raya, who, unlike her usual appearance, wore athletic sportswear and had her hair tied back in a practical ponytail for ease of movement today.
"Jacob," Raya looked at him and said, "If we really encounter difficulties during this operation, I'll have to trouble you to assist me."
"As long as the price is right, anything goes," Jacob replied with a knowing smile. "My appearance fee is quite expensive, you know."
"As long as Darkrai can be successfully captured, the price is entirely negotiable," Raya rolled her eyes at Jacob's casual attitude.
As they spoke, the two donned protective eyewear, and simultaneously, staff members carefully placed the broken Prison Bottle into the designated energy zone.
"Activating the equipment. Countdown commencing: ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."
The countdown reached its conclusion, and the crimson switch was pressed down firmly.
Dazzling light erupted from the broken Prison Bottle's fragmented surface, and pitch-black Dark-type energy, rippling like waves on water, expanded through the energy amplifier's mechanisms, continuously radiating outward in all directions.
Visible black energy ripples radiated outward in concentric circles, spreading throughout the surrounding environment.
"Attention, all personnel! Powerful Dark-type energy of this magnitude will definitely attract a large number of Dark-type Pokémon from the surrounding area, and may even draw in Heavenly King-level Dark-type Pokémon."
"Zion, Layne —you two are responsible for intercepting any external Dark-type Pokémon that approach the perimeter."
At the same time, elsewhere in Magic City.
Dante, wearing a mask to conceal his identity, was training his Pokémon team in his personal underground training facility.
Suddenly, the Tyranitar positioned beside him began to tremble slightly, its massive body twitching with agitation. It abruptly raised its armored head, its fierce gaze directed precisely toward the direction of the underground laboratory.
Tyranitar, possessing the legendary Dread Plate fragment, maintained an extreme sensitivity to Dark-type energy fluctuations, which allowed it to sense the spreading Dark-type energy at the very first moment of its release.
"Tyranitar, what's wrong?" Dante naturally noticed his partner's unusual reaction and asked Tyranitar with a concerned frown creasing his features.
Just as Dante's Tyranitar discovered something amiss in the city, Darkrai, who had been lurking within Magic City's shadows for some time, also sensed this unusual energy fluctuation resonating through the darkness. Then its ethereal figure flickered once and disappeared completely into the concealing night.
In the darkened night sky above, Darkrai flew swiftly through the cloud cover, heading directly toward the underground laboratory's location with purposeful intent.
The commotion caused by Hoopa's Prison Bottle was far from finished, and countless Dark-type Pokémon began converging toward the underground laboratory from every direction.
The siblings Zion and Layne stood firm like an impenetrable copper wall and iron barrier, holding their defensive ground against the approaching horde.
"Alakazam! Use Drain Punch!"
"Medicham, Drain Punch as well!"
Two Pokémon of Heavenly King-level strength, coupled with the Fighting-type's natural advantage against Dark-type opponents, and the life-draining recovery effect of Drain Punch, allowed Alakazam and Medicham to easily block the first wave of Dark-type Pokémon attempting to breach their defenses.
However, there remained a continuous stream of Dark-type Pokémon converging relentlessly toward the laboratory's position.
"Roar!"
Accompanied by a bellowing roar, the first Quasi-Heavenly King-level Dark-type Pokémon appeared in the nearby vicinity.
Its massive body stood over two meters tall, and its fierce appearance sent chills down the spines of those who witnessed it. Its muscular arms were crossed defiantly across its chest, and its unusually long tongue hung loosely from its snarling mouth.
Obstagoon!
A Quasi-Heavenly King-level Obstagoon had arrived!
Immediately following came a sharp, piercing roar as the second Quasi-Heavenly King-level Pokémon materialized nearby. With purple skin decorated by milky white patterns, razor-sharp fangs protruding menacingly, and emitting a truly foul odor, it was the infamous Pokémon known as Skuntank.
Affected by the Dark-type core energy radiating from the Prison Bottle, all nearby Dark-type Pokémon were rushing toward this location, and naturally the first to arrive were the strongest specimens in the area.
Undoubtedly, the Quasi-Heavenly King-level Obstagoon and Skuntank ranked among the strongest of all the Dark-type Pokémon residing in this vicinity.
As for whether any true Heavenly King-level Pokémon would appear nearby, absolutely no one could say for certain.
The sudden appearance of two Quasi-Heavenly King-level Pokémon immediately increased the defensive pressure on Zion and Madeline significantly.
Skuntank proved especially problematic—although its strength measured only at Quasi-Heavenly King-level, it was far more troublesome to deal with than an average Heavenly King-level Pokémon in combat.
The noxious poisonous gas it continuously released constituted an indiscriminate area-of-effect attack, which could affect not only opposing Pokémon but also nearby Trainers. One must understand that given a Trainer's relatively fragile human body, even a slight inhalation could cause them to lose consciousness directly.
However, despite these challenging circumstances, Raya maintained no intention of personally interfering with the battle.
The surrounding wild Pokémon represented just an appetizer before the main course; the real challenge they faced was Darkrai itself. As long as Darkrai had not yet appeared, she would not easily make her move and reveal her full hand.
"Alakazam, use Earthquake on Skuntank!"
"Medicham, High Jump Kick to attack Obstagoon!"
Ground-type energy surged powerfully from Alakazam's form, and it smashed a glowing fist forcefully into the ground beneath, causing the earth to crack and splinter. Endless Ground-type energy flowed from Alakazam's body along the spreading cracks directly toward Skuntank's position.
Meanwhile, Medicham surged with its native Fighting-type energy, its form flickering with speed as it bent its knee and flew toward Obstagoon with a devastating knee strike aimed at its center mass.
Just as the siblings Zion and Madeline were intercepting the nearby Dark-type Pokémon attempting to breach the perimeter, something changed.
Suddenly, a strange and unfamiliar Dark-type energy surged through the area, causing both Jacob and Raya's facial expressions to falter slightly. A suffocating sensation rushed over them like a tidal wave, making them unable to draw breath as though they were drowning in deep water.
Jacob felt only pitch-black darkness flooding before his eyes, as if he had fallen helplessly into an endless Dark-type world devoid of all light.
Dark Void!
It's here—Darkrai has arrived!
It became immediately clear that Darkrai, concealing itself within the surrounding shadows, had launched a surprise attack, unleashing the devastating Dark Void technique toward Jacob and the assembled researchers. Everyone present was being pulled forcibly into the nightmarish Dark world!
"Boom!"
At this critical moment, the Dark world manifesting before Jacob's eyes began to collapse and fragment, and endless Psychic-type energy surged outward powerfully, easing the suffocating sensation and rescuing the drowning Jacob from the technique's grasp!
Regaining his senses and awareness, Jacob immediately saw the protective figure of his Indeedee appear directly in front of him!
Although Indeedee possessed only Lord-level strength in terms of raw power, due to having absorbed Cresselia's precious Lunar Wing into its being, it had gained the extraordinary ability to remain completely immune to Darkrai's signature Dark Void technique!
This particular Darkrai did not possess the true divine authority of the Nightmare God, so how could it possibly compare to the genuine divine power of Cresselia herself?