After making a few minor adjustments and dismantling the central stage, Cain and Cynthia took their positions on opposite sides of the battlefield.
The terrain for full battles was much larger than that used for regular battles. Additionally, the boundary lines were more symbolic than functional, as they didn't impose real restrictions on the trainers or their Pokémon.
This allowed both to fight with total freedom, even taking the battle to the skies if they wished.
In full battles, trainers could also participate directly alongside their Pokémon, something that didn't break any rules. This particularity gave Cain, with his psychic abilities, a significant advantage.
Cain understood perfectly the League's purpose in implementing this battle format in the final stages of the Sinnoh Tournament. The intention was for trainers from all regions to become familiar with this style of battle, encouraging their learning and adaptation.
This not only prepared trainers for future competitions, but also gave them tools to face clandestine organizations, increasing their chances of survival in critical situations.
Although the changes wouldn't be immediate, in the long term they could prevent numerous tragedies. The League was thus demonstrating its determination to expand and renew itself, distancing itself from the image of a decaying institution that some attributed to it.
Cain didn't know who had proposed organizing this tournament, but it was clear that this was someone extremely capable. If the event succeeded, that person would earn a prominent place within the League, ensuring its stability for at least fifty more years.
Could this figure be connected to Giovanni's efforts to push Mew DNA research forward? Perhaps that same person had obstructed Team Rocket's expansion, forcing Giovanni to look for new strategies.
...
Back to the battle.
Cain and Cynthia each held six Poké Balls and launched them onto the field at the same time. The sky, which had been clear until then, began to darken with the appearance of thick black clouds that covered the sun.
Lightning flickered among the clouds as the rain began to fall.
In the end, Cain decided to include Politoed in his team. As soon as it appeared on the field, its Drizzle ability activated, generating a rain that spread across the entire stadium. The magnitude of the storm was impressive, even reaching the stands.
The spectators, prepared for any eventuality, pulled out umbrellas they had found under their seats and enjoyed a battle in the rain.
"Why did it start raining so suddenly?!"
"This doesn't look like just Rain Dance, does it? The storm is massive!"
In the suite reserved for the Hoenn representatives, Wallace was watching the field with a surprised expression. Through the glass, his eyes focused on Politoed, the green-skinned Pokémon next to Cain.
"What is it, Wallace? Did you figure something out about this rain?" asked Phoebe, who was beside him.
"Yes, the rain isn't the result of the move Rain Dance... it's from the Drizzle ability. I didn't expect Cain to keep an ace up his sleeve until now," replied Wallace, with a smile that combined admiration and resignation.
Wallace hadn't seen Politoed during his match against Cain, which he now understood as a deliberate strategy. Using rain against a Water-type specialist would have been a disadvantage. Plus, Cain didn't have a fully optimized rain team.
"That Pokémon is... Politoed?" added Steven, also watching from the suite. Politoed was a rare Pokémon, comparable in rarity to Slowking.
For a Poliwag to evolve into Politoed required both skill and luck. Finding a wild Politoed with the Drizzle ability was unheard of.
"Cain always manages to surprise us. Had he also discovered the method for evolving Politoed?" Wallace reflected.
The relationship between Poliwhirl and Politoed was evident, but just like with Slowpoke and Slowking, the exact evolution process had remained a mystery for a long time.
Though surprised, neither Steven nor Wallace seemed too shocked. After all, they were used to Cain's constant innovations. However, Cynthia, who stood facing Cain, showed a look of pleasant surprise on her usually calm face.
"Cain, you've surprised me once again. Now I'm even more eager to battle you," said Cynthia as she brushed a strand of golden hair aside.
Cain raised a hand to his forehead, feeling somewhat overwhelmed. If he could choose, he would prefer to avoid this battle. He had no guarantee of victory.
Without a fully formed rain team, his chances against Cynthia were low. Even if his rain team were ready, he estimated his odds to be only fifty percent.
In his current state, they barely reached thirty percent—and that was being optimistic.
Cynthia's Pokémon were formidable. Her Garchomp, considered Sinnoh's pseudo-legendary, was level 57 and overwhelmingly powerful. Milotic, her most beautiful Pokémon, had reached level 58.
Lucario, with his mastery of aura power, was also one of her main assets, at level 56. Roserade, a dangerous opponent for Cain's Water-types, was at level 55.
Spiritomb, captured at the Hallowed Tower, possessed unique abilities and was also at level 54. Finally, Gastrodon from the West Sea, although it didn't have the Storm Drain ability, was still a formidable foe at level 54.
Cynthia's lineup was overwhelmingly balanced and powerful. Finding a weak point in her team was nearly impossible. Her only Achilles' heel might be her lack of experience in full battles, a format in which Cain and his Pokémon excelled.
As he observed the battlefield, Cain couldn't help but think: "I wish the rain team were complete..."
(End of Chapter)