After ending the call with Sakuragi, Natsuhiko continued to browse through his phone.
Staying in the alternate space for a month, he ran into the Hunter Guild and Snow Peak Temple's conflict right after coming out, leaving him no time to check his messages.
He slept until noon, and Sakuragi's call successfully reminded Natsuhiko of the unfinished business.
Once he checked, he found a myriad of messages.
For instance, Lance sent some updates regarding his recent progress and showed concern because Natsuhiko hadn't replied in a long time—there were dozens of missed calls from him too.
Flint had found buyers for the Evolution Stones Natsuhiko entrusted him to sell during their last meeting and had successfully transferred the money to his account.
And Hilona as well.
When Natsuhiko visited Sinnoh earlier, Hilona was busy assisting Dr. Yamanashi with a research experiment and couldn't spare time, hoping that Natsuhiko would wait for its completion, and hoped he could meet Dr. Yamanashi.
Natsuhiko did not decline at that time.
According to her message, Dr. Yamanashi and Hilona's experiment was nearing its end and should be completed in a few days. She inquired when Natsuhiko would be available for a meeting.
Kona and Binina had also asked some questions in the group, which went unanswered, so they sent private messages to Natsuhiko to inquire about his situation.
And the list went on.
A large number of unread messages.
Left with no choice, Natsuhiko ordered lunch from the Poke Center, responding to messages while satisfying his hunger.
As for the Pokémon,
he had left them with Ms. Joy.
This time, it wasn't just him who was exhausted—the Pokémon were also weary. Even with his daily massages and check-ups, Energy Blocks, and various Healing Potions, he couldn't completely guarantee they were unproblematic.
Necessary checks and body repairs to avoid hidden ailments and several other things were required.
The process would take some time, which conveniently gave Natsuhiko a bit of quiet time to sit down and think about his next steps and plans.
Oh, but it wasn't completely quiet, especially with Dragapult's presence.
Given Dragapult's size, a regular room was truly insufficient to accommodate it.
But since it was winter in Snow Peak City and there weren't many people, with a fair number of vacant rooms at the Poke Center, Natsuhiko luckily got the largest suite; otherwise, Dragapult might have had to sleep on the streets last night.
"Baluya."
Watching Natsuhiko eat, Dragapult came out from its stealth.
"Didn't forget you."
Natsuhiko said, taking out a full box of Advanced Energy Blocks from his backpack, placing it in front of Dragapult.
These were all homemade by him.
In Regigigas's alternate space, he collected a lot of Tree Fruit related to Ghost-type Pokémon. Although there wasn't much that could be used by Dragon-type Pokémon, he still managed to find a little.
Natsuhiko had now attained a relatively high success rate in making Advanced Energy Blocks, which was cost-effective considering Dragapult's appetite.
What?
Special Level Energy Blocks above Advanced?
Sorry, there's none.
The conditions don't allow for it.
Do you know how expensive Energy Blocks suitable for Dragon-type Pokémon are?
Anything related to Dragon-type Pokémon inevitably becomes more expensive, at least by thirty percent compared to normal market prices.
Moreover, there are currently no Energy Blocks combining Dragon and Ghost types on the market. The ones suitable for Dragapult might only exist in this Pokémon realm.
However, Dragapult wasn't picky. Compared to Doublade's Special Level Energy Blocks, targeted towards Ghost and Steel Types, the Advanced Energy Block made by Natsuhiko suited its taste more.
Wagging its tail, Dragapult squinted its eyes, happily floating a little above the ground as it ate.
As it ate, it suddenly recalled.
It hadn't told Natsuhiko about what it saw last night.
Recalling Natsuhiko's sincere gestures just now, Dragapult forgave the "half-price renegotiation" incident before.
Swallowing the Energy Block in its mouth,
"Baluya."
Hearing Dragapult's call, Natsuhiko looked at it with slight confusion.
Then,
Dragapult explained to Natsuhiko how it had witnessed a black mist enveloping Natsuhiko in his sleep last night and then saw pink lunar radiance dispel the black mist, allowing him to sleep peacefully.
After listening, Natsuhiko was evidently surprised.
"Black mist? Pink lunar radiance?"
He realized why his dreams last night felt strange, fluctuating between good and bad, allowing him to experience the extreme "contrast" within the Pokémon realm.
Upon waking, the dream felt vivid as ever, still lingering till now.
"Didn't see?"
"Baluya—"
After relaying its part, Dragapult continued eating, its mouth so full that it could only nod in silence.
Natsuhiko appeared puzzled.
Even Dragapult didn't see it, indicating that it wasn't something simple.
Given Dragapult's nature as a Ghost-type Pokémon, potentially surpassing Elite Trainer Level power—it hadn't noticed a thing...
In Natsuhiko's mind, the images of two Pokémon suddenly flashed.
"Could it be those two…?"
When it comes to dreams, especially nightmares, there's one Pokémon that is easily thought of.
The dashing, bewitching...
Darkrai, the Nightmare God!
A Phantom Beast that instinctively causes people or Pokémon to have nightmares.
Though called the 'Nightmare God,' this Pokémon's nature wasn't malevolent.
Actually, 'causing nightmares' is more of a protective mechanism rather than an act of malice.
In Natsuhiko's previous life, it was both feared and admired by many, simply for one reason...
Style!
Style is a lifelong quest.
And the divine beast aiding Natsuhiko in dispelling nightmares, or those impacted by Darkrai's nightmares...
Cresselia, the Dream God!
Interestingly, Darkrai and Cresselia can indeed be considered counterpart Pokémon.
Darkrai is male only, while Cresselia is female only.
Yet, they are classified as Phantom Beast and Divine Beast respectively.
Natsuhiko fell into deep thought.
The occurrence of this situation, was it unexpected? Not entirely.
Darkrai appears periodically, and then Cresselia soon follows.
And the place where Darkrai and Cresselia reside...
Natsuhiko turned his head to look outside the window.
Beyond Snow Peak Mountain, across Lake Acuity, sailing west across the sea for a time, you will reach the two small islands.
Crescent Island and Full Moon Island.
Crescent Island is the abode of Darkrai, while Full Moon Island is Cresselia's home.
In other words, the two Pokémon are not far from Snow Peak City.
With their abilities, it wouldn't take much time to reach Snow Peak City from the islands.
"It's a pity not to have witnessed Darkrai." Natsuhiko shook his head somewhat regretfully.
There was another thing he hadn't mentioned.
And that was…
Darkrai appearing often signifies bad omens.
Darkrai has a knack of being involved in major events, sometimes even surpassing Absol, the Disaster Beast known for forewarning impending catastrophes, almost akin to the harbinger in detective films.
Wherever it goes, mayhem follows.
Darkrai showing up in Snow Peak City doesn't bode well.