"Because he wants me to help him spread nightmares." Darkrai didn't hide anything and directly stated Giratina's purpose.
Upon hearing Darkrai's words, Aoki seemed to understand something.
Darkrai, a Pokémon known as the 'Nightmare God,' didn't earn that name by chance; it truly has the ability to inflict nightmares upon humans or other Pokémon.
However, this is not something it wishes to do. Although Darkrai is a Dark-type Pokémon and its appearance seems fierce or dark, this type of Pokémon is actually quite kind-hearted and would not casually create nightmares for others.
"You disagreed, so he imprisoned you here? Allowing Ghost-types to continuously erode your body until you agree to his demands, or perhaps... transform into a Ghost-type Pokémon?!" Aoki said.
Suddenly, as if understanding something, Aoki's heart jolted. He looked at his Mismagius beside him, then at the imprisoned Darkrai.
"Could it be... Mismagius couldn't possibly be..." Thinking of this conjecture, Aoki couldn't immediately confirm if it was true, but there was a high probability that it was possible.
Otherwise, why would Mismagius suddenly appear in this underground cavern?
One must know that there were many Gastly above. Why couldn't they even approach the Ghost pillars, yet Mismagius was able to evolve to Elite Four-level in the dark space below?
Could it be that even in its weakest state, it could withstand such a concentrated onslaught of Ghost-type energy?
And how did Mismagius appear in the dark space?
Although as a dream-related Pokémon, Mismagius possesses a strong talent for creating dreams, this talent might be too powerful, even capable of blurring the lines between reality and dreams.
Previously, Aoki thought it was a unique talent of Mismagius, but now it seems there's more to it.
"Mis?" Mismagius didn't understand what Aoki was saying, its eyes filled with curiosity.
It just had a special, somewhat familiar feeling towards the locked-up Darkrai. Other than that, it had no other memories.
Darkrai's expression became somewhat complex upon hearing Aoki's words, but in the end, it still nodded.
"That's right, this little one was indeed my companion once. It's just that compared to me, her strength was much weaker, so... she couldn't hold on..." Although Darkrai spoke as if calmly, Aoki could feel the bitterness, unwillingness, pain, and various other emotions in its heart.
Aoki also looked at the somewhat bewildered Mismagius with a complex expression.
Some Pokémon, after passing away, might be in areas with concentrated Ghost-type energy. Their souls, after death, might have their body structures altered by this energy, transforming into a completely new Pokémon—a Ghost-type Pokémon.
This was true for both Mt. Pyre in the Hoenn region and the Dragon's Tomb in the Dragon's Den that Aoki had visited.
Now, Darkrai's words further confirmed Aoki's conjecture.
The predecessor of his Mismagius was actually a Darkrai. Perhaps because it was once a Dark-type Pokémon, which is weak to Ghost-types, its aptitude wasn't outstanding. Or perhaps, as a dream Pokémon, it had a unique talent for creating dreams.
Although it felt a bit unbelievable, it wasn't something particularly hard to accept.
However, this explained everything.
Aoki activated his chip and scanned Darkrai's data for the first time.
Pokémon: Darkrai (Blue) — Corrupted
Gender: Male
Level: 70
Type: Dark
Ability: Bad Dreams
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: None
Basic Moves: Ominous Wind, Disable, Quick Attack, Hypnosis, Sucker Punch, Nightmare, Double Team, Haze, Dark Void, Nasty Plot, Dream Eater, Dark Pulse
Learnt Moves: Foul Play, Snatch, Grudge, Wonder Room, Knock Off, Snore, Drain Punch, Trick, Payback, Focus Punch, Throat Chop, Shock Wave, Icy Wind
TM Moves: None
Seeing Darkrai's data, Aoki felt a bit sorry for it.
Based on the moves Darkrai had mastered, it was at least a Champion-level Pokémon at its peak, but now, due to the continuous erosion of Ghost-type energy, its level was suppressed to only 70, and its aptitude was also reduced to blue.
It could be said that this Darkrai, apart from its name being Darkrai, had no other outstanding features.
To put it bluntly, at this moment, the Pokémon by Aoki's side, except for Mismagius, who wasn't very good at battling, could all easily defeat it.
Of course, it's not ruled out that it has special combat skills and methods, but it's highly likely it still wouldn't be a match.
Aoki just felt a bit regretful.
"It seems... you're almost there, Darkrai," Aoki said slowly.
Darkrai was slightly surprised, not knowing how Aoki saw through its current state, but it knew its own situation, so apart from being a little surprised, it didn't try to hide anything.
Nodding slightly, "That's right, it used to be just two chains, but now there are four. I can already feel my body is weakened to its limit, and I believe it won't be long until I become what Giratina wishes."
Perhaps because it had been communicating with Aoki for a long time, Darkrai gradually became accustomed to expressing itself and predicting outcomes.
Aoki looked at Darkrai, who didn't seem very afraid, and rather admired its spirit of not fearing power.
Anyway, if Aoki were in its position, he would definitely choose to surrender.
After all, there were many Pokémon following Giratina, and weren't they still living happily? Although perhaps with a little less freedom.
Looking at the dark spring and the four black chains, an idea popped into Aoki's mind.
"Since that's the case, let's make a deal, Darkrai!" A smile appeared on Aoki's face.
Seeing this smile, Darkrai didn't feel anything yet, but the Slowking and Gengar beside him suddenly shivered, then subtly and somewhat pityingly glanced at Darkrai, who was floating calmly on the water's surface.
They hoped it would make a good choice.
"A deal?" Darkrai repeated the word, a hint of confusion in its voice, wondering what kind of deal Aoki wanted to make.
"That's right! It's a mutually beneficial deal. I'll help you break free from these chains, and I can even find a way to help you recover from your current state.
That's my promise to you," Aoki said with a smile.
"What do I need to give in return?" Darkrai asked. As a fully mature Pokémon, it naturally understood that a deal was a two-way street.
"Become my Pokémon!" Aoki's words were shocking, revealing the truest thought in his mind at that moment!