Pokemon: The Legendary Trainer

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"What is this thing? Where's Darkrai?"

Looking at the mysterious black crystal in the pit, Sato didn't pay it much mind initially. His primary concern was Darkrai's whereabouts. 

Shielded by Swampert, he carefully surveyed the surroundings, but there wasn't a single trace of Darkrai.

After a moment, Sato turned his attention back to the black crystal in the pit. His instincts told him that this mysterious crystal was deeply connected to Darkrai.

Still, Sato didn't rush to investigate the crystal. If Darkrai's immediate crisis had been resolved, there was only one remaining threat. 

Turning his gaze, he looked at the purple-haired woman who was struggling to get up from the ground.

Sato's movement didn't go unnoticed by Courtney. She turned her head to meet his gaze, her eyes full of deep wariness. 

During the nightmare realm earlier, she had seen it clearly—it was because of this boy that she had survived.

Courtney also understood that this boy was likely an enemy, not an ally. Otherwise, he wouldn't have hidden his identity and infiltrated their team. The possibility that he was from the League loomed large. 

Now gravely injured and with her Pokémon incapacitated, her life might have been spared, but she remained in an extremely precarious situation.

"Don't worry, Ms. Courtney. I won't kill you or any of your Team Magma members. However, I'd like you to take a nap now. I trust you wouldn't mind, would you?"

Sato spoke with a faint smile, releasing his Bellossom as he addressed the injured woman in front of him.

"Of course, go ahead. I hope you'll keep your word. I'll remain silent about everything that happened here and will send you a great gift in the future for this favour. Oh, by the way, I have some valuable items on me—these are yours now, as are the belongings of the other Team Magma members."

Courtney had also noticed the pit and the mysterious object within it. However, she showed no interest in it. 

Hearing Sato's words gave her some reassurance, and she forced a weak smile. Instead of issuing empty threats like most Team Magma members would have in such a situation, she tactfully offered up all her valuables.

From the nightmare realm earlier, Courtney had discerned that Sato was a ruthless and unyielding person, far more resolute than she was. Otherwise, he wouldn't have turned the tide at the last moment. 

Threatening someone like him would be a joke, only backfiring.

"Then please excuse me, Ms. Courtney. Bellossom, use Sleep Powder on her."

Pleased with Courtney's tact, Sato's cold gaze softened. He nodded at her with a smile before instructing Bellossom to act.

"Could I ask for your name? It'd be good to recognize you in the future. Perhaps we could even become friends someday," Courtney said, her voice sweet as she inhaled the Sleep Powder. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation before she willingly drifted into sleep.

However, Sato remained silent, not answering her question even as she succumbed to slumber.

Once Courtney was asleep, Sato finally felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He was now the only conscious person nearby.

Besides Courtney, who had been put into a normal sleep state, the others were trapped in nightmares created by Darkrai. Without the aid of Lunar Wings, they wouldn't wake up.

Now, Sato could fully focus on the mysterious black crystal in the pit. His eyes gleamed faintly with blue light as he used the system's identification feature on the crystal.

Item: Darkrai's Nightmare Crystal

Effects:

- Significantly enhances the power of Dark-type moves.

- Absorbs nightmares, granting immunity to all sleep-inducing effects.

- Grants perpetual Keen Eye ability to the holder.

- Enables shadow stealth, allowing the user to merge with shadows.

Restrictions: Non-Dark-type Pokémon cannot use it unless they possess exceptional dream-manipulation abilities.

(Notes: This is a peculiar crystal nurtured within Darkrai's body. Though only a fragment, it contains immense nightmare energy and grants extraordinary powers.)

"It's a Nightmare Crystal born inside Darkrai, with such incredible effects. This is truly a priceless treasure. Wait… only a fragment? That means Darkrai isn't dead."

Sato's initial excitement vanished as he read the notes. He scanned the surroundings nervously, but even after over ten minutes, there was no sign of Darkrai.

"Darkrai isn't dead, but it must have suffered severe or permanent injuries this time. This crystal being forcibly broken out of its body must have been excruciating. It probably fled."

After deliberating, Sato came to this conclusion. Without hesitation, he pocketed the Nightmare Crystal. 

It was a hard-earned trophy, and he had no intention of returning it to Darkrai.

With the crystal safely stored, Sato turned his attention to Courtney. As she had mentioned, everything here was now his, effectively her payment for sparing her life.

Being one of Team Magma's top executives, Courtney had a trove of valuable items. From her, Sato obtained twelve Lunar Wings and a rare Flame Orb. 

Alongside these treasures, he found various miscellaneous items, a substantial amount of cash, and a League Silver Card. Since the card required a password for withdrawals, he only took the cash and useful items.

After thoroughly searching Courtney's belongings, Sato moved on to the other Team Magma members. Unfortunately, their wealth paled compared to hers.

Among the group, only two elite members contributed anything noteworthy—a Flamethrower TM and a Light Screen TM. Collectively, the rest yielded about 3 million PokéDollars in cash and some odds and ends.

"The wealth gap within Team Magma is as vast as ever. Their most valuable assets are probably their equivalents of Team Rocket's internal currency, but I have no use for that. Still, this haul is plenty. Contentment is key."

Half an hour later, Sato had finished his search. With his inventory now full, he was visibly satisfied.

After tidying up the battlefield, Sato turned to his original targets, Marcus and Mightyena. Both were trapped in Darkrai's nightmare realm. Without a Lunar Wing, they wouldn't wake up.

After a brief hesitation, Sato made his decision. 

He placed the two together and pulled out a Lunar Wing. A few minutes later, Sato was piloting a Team Magma speedboat toward Route 123. 

On the shore, Marcus and Mightyena stood silently, watching as he disappeared into the distance.