Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

Chapter 545 Infernape's Absolute Defense

Darkrai looked at the Primeape in the arena, which was still swaying its body from side to side in preparation for Darkrai's next attack, and completely understood Ash's meaning.

Does this mean I now have to abandon Darkrai's preferred fighting style and switch to close-quarters combat...?

If they don't do that, Darkrai will actually have to expend more stamina when it attacks Primeape.

The opponent's dodging movements were too subtle, and Darkrope wasn't sure how much it would take to tire Infernape out.

However, pitting Darkrai against Primeape in close combat was undoubtedly a risky move. But Darkrai didn't back down. After all, legendary Pokémon inherently possess immense power, and even in close combat, a field he wasn't particularly adept at, Darkrai was confident that his agile body could give him the upper hand; one hit would be enough.

"Darkrai, charge! Shadow Claw!" Darkrai said coldly, abandoning his plan to continue the long-range probing.

"Dar!"

Darkrai let out a low growl, its figure flashing out like a ghost before accelerating instantly, leaving a black afterimage as it pounced straight towards the Infernape on the ground.

Its movement wasn't a straight line, but rather an arc, cleverly circling around to the side and rear of Primeape in a very short time—an absolute blind spot for most Pokémon. Darkrai's right hand condensed into three incredibly sharp shadow claws, tearing through the air with a piercing shriek as they viciously clawed at Primeape's back.

The attack was swift and cunning, with a perfect angle, seemingly destined to hit its mark.

However, just as Shadow Claw was about to touch Infernape, a sudden change occurred.

Intense Monkey didn't even turn around, as if it had eyes in the back of its head, but its clenched right fist suddenly slammed backward at a completely illogical angle.

The movement was incredibly fast, without the slightest warning.

A faint white halo enveloped the fist, a signature move of Infernape, the Mega Punch.

BOOM—!!

The Shadow Claw and the million-ton punch collided solidly.

Darkdoll originally thought that even so, Shadow Claw should still have the advantage.

Unexpectedly, the seemingly indestructible Shadow Claw shattered instantly like fragile glass the moment it touched Infernape's fist, turning into specks of black energy that dissipated.

However, Infernape's punch, still powerful, landed squarely on Darkrai's body.

Could it be that...

Darkrod does not acknowledge that ordinary Pokémon surpass legendary Pokémon in power.

The only explanation for Shadow Claw being torn apart instantly is...

This guy...

It can also see through the opponent's weaknesses when they attack.

However, Darkrai of Darkrai is, after all, a legendary Pokémon that has fought countless battles and has an exceptionally strong fighting instinct.

Just as the fist was about to strike, it abruptly retracted its head into the white ribbon that resembled a garment, while simultaneously curling its body into a defensive stance.

Even so, the terrifying force contained in the million-ton punch still sent its massive body flying, tracing an arc in the air before it staggered and landed several meters away before barely managing to regain its footing.

Although it avoided serious injury thanks to its quick defensive stance and strong physique, the impact still made it feel suffocated, and its floating body became slightly unstable.

A cold sweat broke out on Dakdo's forehead almost imperceptibly.

With no blind spots, you can see through the opponent's weaknesses at close range.

Through this exchange, Darkrod has clearly understood just how troublesome Ash's special power is.

Will every battle I face today be this difficult...?

Darko wiped the sweat from his brow, thinking that this was probably Ash's trump card against him.

If that's all there is to it, it's barely acceptable.

Since simple sneak attacks are ineffective, let's suppress the enemy at close range with pure firepower.

Dakdo quickly adjusted his tactics, his eyes hardening once more.

"Darkrai! Get closer to it and bombard the ground with Shadow Balls!"

Darkrai immediately obeyed the order, enduring its physical discomfort, and once again sped towards Primeape's location.

This time, its target was no longer the Infernape itself, but the ground around it.

At the same time, Ash's voice rang out like an electric current in Primeape's mind—Take the initiative! Brick Break!

Darkrai quickly closed in, simultaneously conjuring dark shadow orbs in both palms. He then swiftly released one of the orbs, shooting it directly at the ground beneath Infernape's feet.

Just as it was trying to limit the Infernape's movements with the shockwave of the explosion and the flying debris—

"O!"

Infernape roared, its massive body advancing instead of retreating.

With a sudden burst of power from its legs, Infernape created two shallow craters in the ground and charged towards Darkrai like a cannonball, completely ignoring the explosion of the Shadow Orb beneath its feet.

The impact of the flying debris and explosions did not affect Infernape's actions at all; on the contrary, it further fueled its ferocity.

Infernape's clenched right fist had somehow transformed into a hand blade, covered in a layer of solid white light, and slashed down at Darkrai, who was flying on the ground, with a whooshing sound.

Darkrai remained calm in the face of Primeape's fierce counterattack.

It quickly aimed its second Shadow Ball, which it hadn't yet thrown, at the direction of Infernape's downward slash, attempting to use the explosive power of the Shadow Ball to counteract the force of Brick Break, or even to injure its opponent.

However, Primeape's actions seemed to have anticipated Darkrai's response.

Its right hand continued its downward strike, while its free left fist, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, rose from below and precisely blocked Darkrai's raised arm, which was preparing to use Shadow Ball to block the Brick Breaker.

Snapped!

With a soft thud, Darkrai's arm holding the Shadow Ball was slammed open by Infernape's left fist.

The shadow sphere, imbued with immense energy, instantly lost its aim, flying diagonally into the air before exploding with a deafening roar, turning into a cloud of dark purple smoke.

With no obstruction, Brick Breaker struck Darkrai squarely in the body.

boom!

The Brick Breaker struck squarely, and Darkrai let out a painful groan as his body was sent flying once more.

This attack was unlike the previous Mega Punch; it was a genuine Fighting-type move, which Darkrai, a Dark-type, would find difficult to withstand.

Just as Darkrai was sent flying backward, Ash's command was transmitted again via Aura—Primegas! Pursue!

"O!"

Infernape's eyes turned bloodshot, and an ominous black energy surged from its body.

With a burst of power from his limbs, he shot off like an arrow, chasing after Darkrai as he flew backward.

If this malicious pursuit hits again, then just one more Fighting-type move should be enough to finish off Darkrai.

Dacto's pupils contracted.

The battle was changing too fast, and Ash didn't give any commands to remind him what move his Primeape was using.

Although it was unclear what move Primeape used for its pursuit, Darkrai couldn't be allowed to continue getting injured.

Thinking of this, Darkrai immediately shouted, "Darkrai! Use Nightshade to dodge!"

As Darkrai flew backward, a glint flashed in its single, azure eye, and the space around its body seemed to begin to distort. The next second, Darkrai's body transformed into a phantom and merged into the ground.

Swish!

The punch from Infernape, imbued with black energy, landed just short of where Darkrai had disappeared, leaving a deep mark on the ground.

It was extremely dangerous.

Darkrai's figure solidified again not far away. It was panting heavily, its single blue eye fixed on the Infernape opposite it, its gaze filled with seriousness.

The damage caused by that tile-splitting blow was far more severe than the previous million-ton punch; it could now clearly feel the intense pain emanating from within its body.

I haven't felt this kind of real, hard-hit feeling in a long time.

Moreover, Darkrai was thinking the same thing as Darkrai at that moment.

Fighting this fiery monkey is really disgusting.

And through these two rounds of fighting, Dakdo finally understood the reason for his feelings.

It wasn't that Primeape was inherently stronger, but rather that after Ash's power connected with Primeape, an invisible domain seemed to form around Primeape's body. Once Darkrai stepped into that domain, any attack launched from any angle would be intercepted or countered with lightning speed and precision. 360 degrees, with no blind spots.

Darkrai, who excels at stealth attacks, is indeed a poor match for this Primeape.

Ranged attacks can be easily dodged, wasting your stamina; close combat will be exposed by Ash's power, and you might even be caught off guard and dealt a heavy blow.

It was only at this moment that Dacto began to feel a little annoyed.

The initial probing Black Hole actually gave the opponent a chance to use Bulk Up at will, making the already troublesome Infernape even more difficult to deal with.

If it weren't for the Bulk Up boost that round that increased Primeape's attack power, Darkrai might not have taken so much damage.

This guy seems to have used all his Pokémon at once, revealing all his trump cards.

But in reality, this guy never showed his true strength.

He's been hiding his true abilities all along.

Dakdo narrowed his eyes, re-examining the boy opposite him who maintained a calm smile throughout, and for the first time, he began to waver slightly about the outcome of the match.

In the center of the arena, Infernape excitedly bumped its fists together, producing a dull thud. The fighting spirit in its eyes grew even more intense, and the heavy breaths from its nostrils almost turned into white smoke, as if urging its opponent to hurry up.

Battles against Darkrai might be difficult for other Pokémon, but for Primeape, it's all too familiar.

At the beginning, it battled Ash's Darkrai under Ash's command. Later, when it was kept at Professor Oak's lab, it would actively seek out Darkrai to battle whenever Darkrai was brought back.

No Pokémon knows Darkrai's fighting style better than it does.

Unfortunately, in all the battles it had faced Ash's Darkrai, it had never truly won a single match. So, all the grievances it had suffered and the resentment that had been building up in its heart were now being vented on Darkrai.

It longs to defeat Darkrai today and secure a perfect victory for itself.

However, to everyone's surprise, Darkrai on the other side expressionlessly took out a Poké Ball, and a beam of red light shot out, directly recalling Darkrai who still had the strength to fight.

"O——!!!"

The anticipated next clash never came, and Darkrai was simply taken back by Darkrai.

This made the already furious Inferno feel greatly insulted. It angrily pounded its chest, let out a deafening roar, and stared intently at Darko with fury burning in its red eyes.

Ash, whose mind was connected to Primeape through the Aura, had never felt such intense anger before.

While everyone was wondering, Darko on the other side didn't care about what others thought and simply threw out the second Poké Ball.

Darkrope chose Latios as his second Pokémon.

Sending out Latios at this point basically means that Darkrai himself has admitted that Darkrai cannot defeat Primeape.

But for Hot Monkey, this isn't the kind of recognition it needs.

Latios! Dragon Dance!

? !

There was an uproar.

Having already possessed the inherent advantages of legendary Pokémon, they still chose to use Dragon Dance to enhance themselves.

Everyone understood that Ash's Primeape wasn't the only one feeling angry and resentful at that moment.

Darkrai on the other side clearly intended to take advantage of Infernape's inability to stop aerial targets, using Dragon Dance to boost its power, and then sweeping the team with overwhelming force.

earthquake.

Seeing that the opponent's Dragon Dance hadn't ended after one use, and that Darkrai even commanded Latios to use Dragon Dance a second time, Ash hurriedly commanded Primeape to interrupt it.

Infernape slammed its right leg into the ground, causing the earth to tremble and countless pebbles to fly into the air.

Go get them!

Ash's command echoed in Primeape's mind once again.

"o!"

Infernape unleashed its fury on the flying rocks around it, each punch delivered with tremendous force, sending countless rocks hurtling towards Latios in mid-air like a storm.

But at that moment, Ash noticed something strange.

Each punch thrown by Infernape seemed to shimmer with an extremely faint dark light.

.......