'Nick!'

The call of his name snapped him back to reality with a jump. He had found himself lost in the panorama of the blackening sky, the vortex of dark clouds continuing to spread and expand.

'Here, take this.' continued Donald, handing the trainer a small green spray bottle. 'It's a potion. It will heal your Pokémon from our battle.'

Nick took the bottle silently, looking to the tall trees of Newmoon Isle as they approached the shoreline, wondering what lay beyond them.

If Donald is giving me a potion, he thought, then we must have to battle someone… or something.

One by one, they stepped off of the boat and trekked up the rocky slope to the island. The air was laced with a deathly, unearthly cold, and a feeling of despair swept over Nick. Looking at the faces of his companions, he could tell they felt the same. He released his Pokémon from the Poké Balls and applied the potion.

'This isn't good…' muttered Donald to Marty. 'Someone must have disturbed it.' 'It?' asked Pearl, having overheard. Donald looked at her and, for a moment, seemed lost for words.

'The Pokémon that lives on this island.' he said eventually. 'It's a very strange, powerful Pokémon. Newmoon Island is forbidden to everyone except the Canalave Gym members as it has to be left in peace and isolation.' Nick remembered the old man's words with a shudder.

A hideous creature… the embodiment of darkness and filth. I saw it once and I've been tryin' to forget it since…

'Come on!' bellowed Donald, and began running through the trees in great, powerful strides, his iron boots pounding several inches into the ground with every step. With a slight reluctance in the pit of their stomachs, the other three began to follow him into the unknown.

The black branches of the trees continually hit them as they ran after Donald, like wicked arms reaching out to drag them into the darkness. Scratches and dirt covered their arms and faces as they stumbled out into a clearing. In the epicentre of the blanket of clouds above sat a full moon, an ethereal light flooding through the gloom and illuminating the sight that lay before them. Nick stepped out from behind Donald's massive frame to see four Team Obsidia members standing in the four corners of the open space. His eyes travelled to the same thing they were staring at. Floating above a glassy pond, bathing in the moonlight, was a dark, spectral figure. It turned its head slightly to look at the new arrivals, then spun round to face them fully. A wisp of white hair protruded from a black face, two menacing blue eyes staring out from beneath it. From its ragged body came two long arms ending in clawed hands, pointed fingers clenching and opening in a sinister movement/fashion.

'It's… here…' breathed Donald heavily.

Fighting through the overwhelming fear that hung over the scene, Nick slowly withdrew his Pokédex and warily held it to the creature.

'Darkrai.' it began. Even the electronic voice seemed to talk in more reserved, fearful tones. 'The Pitch-Black Pokémon. A dark-type, data on this rare Pokémon is extremely limited, although it is believed to induce nightmares in those who approach it.'

'Darkrai…' he gasped.

'What are you doing here?' snarled Donald at the Obsidians. The four villains laughed.

'For a gym leader, you're not so smart are you?' replied the furthest away one. It was Golding, who had tried to trap Nick and Pearl in the collapsed cave during their last encounter. 'We're here to take the legendary nightmare Pokémon, the most powerful in the Sinnoh Region!'

'You fools!' cried Donald. 'Darkrai is extremely dangerous to anyone who approaches it, never mind trying to catch it! You've put everyone in Canalave City – everyone in Sinnoh – at risk!'

The smile did not leave Golding's lips. 'All except us.' he smirked, nodding downwards. At his feet, and those of the others, stood small, yellow elephant-like Pokémon. They stood on two legs, waving their arms hypnotically.

'What are those?' asked Nick, finding his voice again.

'Those are Drowzee!' replied Marty, as though having just figured it out. 'They are immune to sleep-inducing attacks. Those crooks must be using them to repel Darkrai's hypnosis and nightmares!'

No sooner had he explained it than Darkrai formed a black mist between its hands. It hurled it towards Team Obsidia, only for it to be evaporated by a flash from the Drowzee's hands.

'Stop this! Stop this now and get out of here!' roared Donald.

Looking at Golding, Nick felt rage rising in him. With a trembling hand – either due to fear or anger – he took out a Poké Ball.

'We're going to have to fight them off!'

Suddenly, Darkrai turned quickly to face them again. At the sight of the Poké Ball in his outstretched arm, it formed another plume of mist and shot it directly at Nick. He froze as he watched it come closer and closer, time having seemed to slow down. Not a moment before it enveloped him, Donald stomped in front of the young trainer, holding his arm up in defence. The attack washed over him and he fell to his knees, trembling. It took Nick a moment to react.

'Donald!' he exclaimed, bending to the leader's side and holding onto his huge arm. Unable to hold him up, he watched as Donald fell to the floor, his eyes closed tightly as though suffering horrific pain.

'Watch out!'

Upon hearing Pearl's cry, he looked up, only to find another swathe of black mist descending over him. His peripheral vision went dark, and the scene around him shrunk, as though he was falling away from it, into the depths of the dark.

Where… am I? What… is… this?

'Nick… Nick…'

Darkrai… Where… Darkrai…

'Nick!'

He opened his eyes, but could not tell if they were open. The scene was pitch-black in all directions, as though he were lost in a void. He looked around, unsure if he was seeing something or if he had been afflicted with blindness. The call of his name made him turn and something came into his sight. Donald stood before him, a strange, dreamy glow radiating from him. Nick looked at his own hands to find they were similarly blurred and hazy, as though he were but a shadow of himself – as though he were a figment of his own imagination and not in his own body. Donald pulled him to his feet.

'Where are we?' asked the trainer.

'We're in a nightmare.' replied Donald, his voice followed by a pulsating echo. 'It's the work of Darkrai. We need to find a way out, or we'll be trapped forever.'

His last words sent a chill down Nick's spine. He blinked hard, having felt something forming in his eyes. He turned away to hide his grief, only to see someone else approach. He rubbed his eyes and focused through the darkness, only to fall backwards in fright at what he saw. From the shadows came himself. The same mess of brown hair, the same clothes and the same face, only terrible. The irises were filled black, the skin grey, a smile contorted across his blue lips.

'What… What is this?' he cried. There was no answer from Donald. Looking around, he found that the leader was face to face with a copy of himself too.

'Nick, stay strong… These are just Darkrai's tricks. It isn't real.'

They stood firm as the copies walked closer and closer. Nick closed his eyes, dreading what would happen next but, after a few moments, found that nothing had. Opening his eyes, he saw the other versions holding Poké Balls. They did not speak, but their eyes beckoned them to follow.

'We're… going to have to fight ourselves.' said Donald quietly.

Nick had been thinking this too. Slowly, the two of them took out Poké Balls and threw them forward. In a burst of white light, Vulpix and Steelix appeared, both surrounded by the same strange haze. The copies threw Poké Balls into the battlefield too. Instead of the white flash, they spewed thick black smoke. When it cleared, illusions of their Pokémon appeared. Vulpix's fur was a dark purple, its eyes burning white. The tail remained singular, but black spikes – like those of Darkrai's cloak – standing out of it from base to tip. Steelix's protrusions were similarly modified, its silver hide without its gleam and its eyes burning in the same way.

'Steelix, use Flash Cannon!' ordered Donald.

The real Steelix glowed brightly, reared its great head back, and threw forward a pulsating ball of sparks. It collided with the nightmare creature but had little effect. Without words, the other Donald pointed forward and the dark Steelix flicked its head in a similar way, shadows racing past its face. The Flash Cannon was returned with frightening force, crashing into Steelix with a burst of sparks and causing the great serpent to fall forward.

'They're powerful…' grunted Donald. 'There is no limit on what these Pokémon can do. They're a part of Darkrai's illusion, it controls their abilities.'

'Let me give it a try.' replied Nick, finding a rush of courage. 'Vulpix, Flame Burst!'

The fox raised its tail high, its body shaking for a moment, before spitting out a ball of fire. It engulfed the purple Vulpix.

'It's working!' cheered Nick.

'Vul! Vul!' barked his Pokémon happily.

They watched the blaze and found their relief turn to despair as the flames began to turn a ghostly blue. The inferno split into small wisps of flame that began to flicker and dance around the shadow Vulpix. With a piercing howl, it sent them shooting towards the others. Vulpix was set aflame as Nick raised his hands over his head and felt them sear at his hands. This was the most dangerous foe he had faced; Darkrai was out to fight both Pokémon and trainer. He braved the heat to save his partner.

'Vulpix!' he cried, pulling the fox from the fire with blistered hands. 'Are you okay?'

'Vul…' it whined, azure embers still lit on its delicate fur. Nick brushed them away.

'We have to be ruthless! This isn't a normal battle!' called Donald through the pain, swatting his arms at the array of flames.

Nick surveyed the scene through the subsiding Will-O-Wisp. Vulpix shuddered in his arms and Steelix moaned at Donald's feet from the attack. Across the battlefield, the illusions contorted menacingly, their twisted faces illuminated by the eerie embers.

'But… how can we fight ourselves?' asked Nick, half to himself, half to Donald.

He felt the leader's eyes rest on him, then turned to see him look towards the copies.

'Maybe we're not supposed to fight ourselves.' he replied solemnly. 'Perhaps we need to fight each other.'

Nick continued to look at the side of Donald's face, hoping for elaboration, but then realised the strategy. They could each defeat the copy of the other's Pokémon with a super-effective attack; Vulpix using a fire attack on Steelix, and Steelix using a ground-type attack on Vulpix. Without words between them, they ordered their next moves.

'Flame Burst!'

'Earthquake!'

The battlefield became very heated and animated. Vulpix spewed another ball of flame, and its copy lowered its head and tensed defensively, no doubt ready to manipulate the attack again. With a twist of its own head, however, Nick's Vulpix directed the flame at Steelix. It soared into the side of the snake's huge face, splitting into several fires that entwined with the steel-type's long body until it was a towering inferno. By its side, the purple Vulpix leapt from side to side dodging the jagged black rocks that erupted from the earth, Donald's Steelix having crashed to the ground and causing a rupture. Spike after spike exploded from underneath its feet but the fox's agility outshone the serpent's attack.

'Give it all you got, Steelix!' roared Donald.

The Pokémon roared, reared its head, and brought it crashing down, slamming the ground with such force that the two trainers were knocked from their feet. From the darkness below them burst a giant black blade, catching the dark-type with its point and throwing it high into the air. With a piercing howl, it evaporated into a mist that slowly fell over the scene.

'It's gone!' gasped Nick.

They turned their attention to the dark Steelix. They could still hear its roars from within the blaze but, as the flames began to subside, they found that it had been completely burned away.

'We did it!' barked Donald, clenching his fist in victory.

Before Nick could fully worry that they were about to send out more Pokémon, the two illusions began to fade from sight. Black smog poured from their wide-open mouths and amalgamated above the scene. It whirled and contorted until it took the form of Darkrai. It leered down at them, its single eye glowing an electric blue.

'You can play mind games with us, Darkrai, but you underestimate the power of a trainer-and-Pokémon team!' laughed Donald, putting his hands on his hips.

In a silent rage, it began to spin, forming a pulsating ball of energy between its arms. The attack crackled and sparked as Darkrai raised it above its head.

'That's Shadow Ball!' cried Donald. 'Watch out!'

The burning black sphere came hurtling towards Nick at a speed that made him throw his hands over his head rather than attack.

'Vul! Vul-pix!'

The cry made him look from behind his fingers. Vulpix was breathing out a ray of fire that illuminated even the darkness of the area. It met the Shadow Ball and stalled it on its way to the ground.

'That's it, Vulpix!' cheered the trainer. 'Push it back!'

Darkrai, who seemed to be remotely controlling the trajectory of its attack with its hands, began to shudder, barely able to hold its own against Vulpix's new-found power. The little fox's fur was dampened with sweat, its fur standing on end and its one tail erect and glowing.

'You can do it! I believe in you!'

At these words, Vulpix's flame intensified and its body burned a brilliant orange. Slowly, the Shadow Ball began to move back towards its creator. With a final howl, the fire consumed the dark energy and the full blast of both attacks collided with Darkrai. A static noise perforated the surroundings and light began to pour through, the blackness quickly turning to a blinding white.

The whiteness subsided and they found themselves back on Newmoon Island. Donald's huge hand thumped onto Nick's shoulder and the boy looked up at his tired face.

'You alright?'

'Fine…' breathed Nick.

He looked forward. Vulpix was beaming back at him. Its body had lost its flare, but two tails now stood proudly on its rear.

'Vulpix! Your tail… your tails!'

'It looks like your Vulpix learned Flamethrower back there.' mused Donald.

Another static shriek interrupted praise of the fire-type. Looking up, they saw that Darkrai had returned to the scene, and Team Obsidia – who Nick had almost forgotten about – were gazing upon it with a wicked hunger in their eyes.

'I thought Darkrai had saved us a job in finishing you off.' smirked Golding. 'But we'll gladly do that, then take this thing for the good of Team Obsidia!'

Nick was barely paying attention to the villain. His eyes were locked with that of the dark-type. It was glaring down at them, as though ready to launch another attack. With a rush of bravery – or maybe it was desperation – he stepped forward.

'Please, Darkrai! We're not the enemy here!'

'Nick, what are you…?' gasped Pearl. He did not let her interrupt.

'Team Obsidia are the ones who disrupted your home! We're here to help you!' he continued, throwing his open arms upwards. 'We're trainers! We help Pokémon, and they help us. Let us help you protect your island!'

'Enough!' barked Golding, apparently frustrated at the lack of attention he was receiving. 'Drowzee, Hypnosis! Let's take it!'

'Drow…zee…' hummed the elephant creature. It waved its hands rhythmically, and spirals of light slowly made their way towards Darkrai. It had still been looking at Nick, but its single eye moved to the side, aware of the attack from behind.

'Darkrai! Please, listen to me! Let's fight Team Obsidia together!'

The rays came closer.

'Now!'

Before Nick had even finished shouting, Darkrai pulled away from the hypnosis and fragmented the attack with a wave of its hand. The Drowzee looked as confused as their masters as Darkrai, its black cloak gleaming oddly in the moonlight, began to form a Shadow Ball.

'What is this?' cried one of the grunts.

Nick looked to Donald, both of them smiling. Pearl and Marty stood behind them, looking confused.

'Vulpix! Help Darkrai with Flamethrower!'

Vulpix opened its mouth and a blast of fire wrapped itself around the dark-type's attack. The ball grew bigger, pulsating and crackling.

'You too, Steelix! Gyro Ball!'

The steel snake, emerging from the shadows, began to spin segments of its body rapidly. Searing, white-hot light flashes began to form, twisting off of it and combining with the Shadow Ball. With another loud crack, Darkrai threw the ball to the ground. The resulting explosion shook the earth, the water in the pond spraying everywhere like a shattered mirror and shadows spewing over the scene. Nick grabbed Vulpix as he fell to the ground, and crawled backwards to the others. When it settled, the Drowzee and several Obsidians lay unconscious. Only Golding remained on his feet, though he was staggering, covered head to doe in dust and earth.

'Retreat… come on…'

He recalled the Drowzee while the grunts who were still awake grabbed the others and pulled them backwards into the trees.

'Quick, follow them!' cried Donald.

Getting to their feet and recalling their Pokémon, they gave chase into the darkness of the woods. Running as fast as he could, Nick wondered where the villains had gone, as there was no sign of them. Eventually, however, cold sea air hit their face as they came to the other edge of the island. Nick had to stop himself from running over the side of the cliff, and once again fell backwards at the sight of Team Obsidia's helicopter rising from below. Golding stood in the doorway looking down menacingly at the group.

'Once again you have ruined our plans, but our time will come!' he snarled. 'All of Sinnoh is about to know the name Team Obsidia, and you who crossed us will be the first to pay!'

The helicopter's speed increased as they soared into the night sky.

Darkrai was still there when they returned to the centre of the island, although it was now hovering a few feet from the ground with a more relaxed demeanour. They stopped as they saw it, unsure if it should be approached or not. Donald was the first one to make a move.

'Darkrai,' he announced, stepping forward, 'My name is Donald. I'm the one who makes sure people don't set foot on your island.'

The dark-type lowered down until it was eye level with the leader.

'I'm sorry that Team Obsidia were able to get here. From now on I will make sure that Newmoon Island is better protected.'

It bowed its head slowly. Nick noticed that the air was no longer cold, and the sense of danger was no longer being exuded from the Pokémon.

'We will leave now, Darkrai.'

With one last look at them, the creature faded from sight as the dark clouds above subsided, leaving the area bathed in the light of the moon.

Nick and Pearl stood at the back of the boat in a pleasant silence, looking at the serene island as it once again became a misty rock on the horizon. He noticed that the moment was free of the usual tension and inevitable hostility that usually cast a shadow over their meetings.

'You battled well.' she said quietly, the dark blue surroundings and her black hair framing her tired, pale face. Nick looked at the stars reflected in her eyes, but she did not look back.

'Thanks.' he replied sheepishly, looking down to the water. As he did, she turned to look at him, the flicker of a smile on her lips.

'I know Team Obsidia will be back.' she said softly. 'All we can do is try our best to stop their plans, especially after what they did to Elekid and Wailmer.'

Nick felt a jolt in his stomach at the thought of what Golding had said. Team Obsidia appeared to be gaining power, and he had established himself as something of an enemy to them.

'At least one good thing has come from all this.' she finished.

He looked up and his stomach jolted again as their eyes met, the soft wind blowing her delicate hair across her cheeks. Without thinking, he slowly and cautiously moved towards her.

'Yeah?'

'I recorded information about Darkrai on my Pokédex.' she stated firmly, looking back to the ocean as Nick slid on the damp floor and landed with a thud. 'Professor Rowan will be pleased.'