Pokémon: Dreams Come True Starting in Sinnoh

Chapter 572 Dakdor's Request, Land of Heroes and Epics

The moonlight, like water, quietly spilled onto the empty stands of the Lily of the Valley Arena, casting long, slender shadows of Ash and Pikachu.

The night air after the rain was exceptionally refreshing, carrying a hint of earthy fragrance, yet also a touch of the chill of the late night.

"I thought you weren't coming tonight, after all, it's so late." Xiao Zhi didn't turn around, and said calmly, as if he already knew who the visitor was.

A figure slowly emerged from the shadows behind the audience seats, the moonlight outlining his slender silhouette—it was Dakdo.

His steps were somewhat heavy, and his face still showed signs of fatigue, but his eyes held a greater sense of relief and tranquility than during the day.

"I'm sorry." Darko stopped a few steps away from Ash, his voice tinged with apology.

"I was the one who invited you here after the game, but I'm so late because I need some time to calm down, or rather... I need some time to apologize to them, so I'm late."

Upon hearing this, Ash turned his head to look at Darkrai.

Only then did he notice that Darko was holding a Poké Ball tightly in his hand.

Although the surface of the Poké Ball had been carefully wiped, the marks of time were still visible. The red and white ball was covered with fine scratches and some stains that could not be removed, indicating that it had been sealed away for quite some time and had only recently been taken care of.

After sensing Ash's gaze, Darkrod didn't speak, but simply looked down at the old Poké Ball in his hand with a complicated expression.

After a moment of silence, Dakdo gently pressed the button in the middle of the Poké Ball with his thumb.

"Come out."

A dark red light flashed, and an elegant, fluffy Pokémon appeared in the moonlight.

"Zoroark?" Ash exclaimed the name of the Pokémon with some surprise.

Surprise flashed in Dakdo's eyes.

"So you know Zoroark too?"

"Yeah, I think I recognize most of the Pokémon."

Darko recalled the abandoned monkey that had evolved in the arena and couldn't help but sigh with relief, his tone carrying a hint of sincere admiration: "As expected of someone aiming to become a Pokémon Master, this insight is truly extraordinary."

Ash chuckled awkwardly, looking a little embarrassed, and quickly steered the conversation back on track: "So, Mr. Darkrod, what did you call me here for...?"

Darkrai remained silent, but gently patted Zoroark's shoulder beside him, then asked, "Ash... do you already have a target for your next destination after this Lily of the Valley Conference?"

what's the situation?

Why does it feel like everyone is asking me this question?

Does it really matter where I go...?

Ash wasn't sure what Darkrai was thinking, so he answered Darkrai with the same answer he had given to others before.

"I'm still considering it and haven't decided where to go next yet."

“I see…” Darko nodded thoughtfully, then a glint of light flashed in his eyes as he suggested, “If you don’t mind, I would like to suggest that you choose my hometown, the Unova region, as your next destination.”

"The Unova region?" Ash repeated, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Why would you recommend that place? Mr. Darkrod, are you planning to participate in next year's Unova League tournament and then face me again there?"

This is roughly the answer that Xiaozhi could come up with.

However, after hearing Ash's guess, Darko shook his head and a complicated smile appeared on his face: "No, I will not participate in any regional league tournaments for the time being."

He turned his head to look at Zoroark beside him, and it was as if he saw more of his former comrades who had fought alongside him through it.

"I plan to take it, along with my original Pokémon and my former companions, on another trip around the world to broaden my horizons. This is also a belated apology for neglecting them over the years."

Zoroark seemed to understand Darko's feelings and thoughts at that moment, so it let out a low groan and, just like Darko had done, reached out and gently patted Darko's back to comfort him.

Ash watched this scene and was somewhat moved.

It's quite ironic that Dakdo's current goal is this.

However, the fact that Darkrai could see the scenery around him was enough to make Ash's efforts in the finals worthwhile; it's just that his current question remains unanswered. "So you mean...?"

Darko raised his head, refocusing his gaze on Ash, and slowly asked, "Have you heard the legend of the founding of the Unova region?"

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Zhi nodded to indicate that he understood.

A glimmer of longing appeared in Dakdo's eyes. He slowly raised his head, gazing up at the starry night sky, his voice distant and profound.

“I grew up listening to legends and stories, so I admired and longed for the black and white dragons in those legends and the heroes who could ride them even in my childhood.”

He paused, as if lost in that distant legend.

"It is said that only trainers who possess genuine or ideal noble qualities in their hearts and have earned their approval can command them. The initial motivation for me to embark on the path of becoming a trainer stemmed from my admiration for Zekrom, Reshiram, and the heroes who could tame them in the legends."

Under the moonlight, Dakdo's profile looked exceptionally serious.

That deep-seated longing was now laid bare before Ash.

He slowly lowered his head, his gaze returning to Ash, a hint of self-mockery and melancholy in his eyes: "I've always dreamed of becoming a hero like that, but I couldn't find any way to do so. So I started to mistakenly believe that a hero is someone who can overwhelm all other trainers with overwhelming power, and that perhaps if I possessed the strongest power, I could gain their approval."

Dacto continued.

"So from then on, my goals began to gradually deviate. I no longer focused on how to train ordinary Pokémon to become stronger step by step, no longer experienced the joy and bond of growing up with them, but began to want to rely on the power of legendary Pokémon, to use the power of legendary Pokémon to satisfy my heroic aspirations."

His smile was filled with bitterness and regret.

"And you've seen my end. I failed, I failed completely, and I was incredibly stupid."

He took a deep breath, his eyes gradually clearing. "But you are different... In today's battle with you, I felt as if I saw in you the qualities of the heroes who wielded Zekrom and Reshiram from the hero picture books I read in my childhood."

He looked at Ash earnestly, his tone filled with expectation: "That's why I hope you can set your next destination in the Unova region, to go and see that land of heroes, to experience firsthand the legends and epics that flow through that land. If... if you can really be chosen by Zekrom or Reshiram, just like those legendary heroes, then it will put my mind at ease. So... I'm begging you!"

After finishing speaking, Darko bowed deeply to Ash without further ado.

A night breeze blew by, fluttering the hem of their clothes.

Dacto's words echoed in the silent arena, each one carrying immense weight.

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P.S.: Thanks to Ganma for the update reminder!