Wallace summoned his third Pokémon: Luvdisc.
Although this was a desert terrain with no pools for Luvdisc to swim freely in, Wallace's Pokémon was already accustomed to this type of battlefield.
As a water-dwelling Pokémon, it originally rarely strayed far from its natural habitat.
However, battles don't always go as expected, and in such situations, Luvdisc had to face environments without water.
Over time, this training allowed it to adapt.
Upon appearing, Luvdisc released a circle of water around itself, enveloping its body. As long as it could control water-type energy, it could fight on any terrain.
Moreover, on a rainy day, manipulating water-type energy became much easier.
But most importantly, Luvdisc had the ability Swift Swim, which doubled its speed in the rain.
Luvdisc's total base stats weren't very high—barely reaching 330 points—but 97 of those were dedicated to its speed.
Under rainy conditions, its theoretical speed reached 194 points.
That was truly terrifying.
Though its offensive power wasn't high, its speed allowed it to wear down opponents slowly until it defeated them.
This was one of Wallace's strategies. In a team battle, Luvdisc's impact would be even greater.
It was a tactic similar to the one Cain had previously used with Politoed. The difference was that back then, Politoed had activated the rain on its own, while Luvdisc was taking advantage of the rain its teammate had left behind after being defeated.
This was practically equivalent to the Drizzle ability.
Cain's weakened Drapion couldn't avoid falling under Luvdisc's attacks.
With the support of the rain, Luvdisc's water-type moves were not to be underestimated.
Cain smiled as he withdrew Drapion. This was a situation he had anticipated. From the moment Wallace's Gyarados used Rain Dance, Cain had already predicted his opponent's follow-up strategy.
After all, Cain knew Wallace's Pokémon very well.
Although these one-on-one battles allowed for a wide range of tactics, the current competition was aimed at trainers under the age of eighteen, which limited the implementation of more advanced strategies.
The main focus was on strengthening the Pokémon, helping them reach their full potential as quickly as possible.
Once Pokémon reached a point where their power could no longer improve easily, the only way to increase their combat effectiveness was through the development of more complex strategies.
For example: weather timing, combinations with moves like Baton Pass and Swords Dance, among others.
These would be areas of research for them in the future, making battles even more exciting.
For now, they were still young, but perhaps, when they compete in the leagues as elite-level trainers, their confrontations would be completely different.
Cain, knowing Wallace's strategy, had already thought of a countermeasure.
Gengar.
Cain's third Pokémon was Gengar.
Upon appearing, Gengar used the move Skill Swap on Luvdisc.
With a single move, Cain dismantled Wallace's strategy.
Although Cain could have used Slowking for this purpose, the benefit that the Swift Swim ability offered Gengar was far greater.
After the swap, Gengar acquired the Swift Swim ability, while Luvdisc lost its speed advantage.
It's worth noting that Gengar's base speed is 110 points. With Swift Swim active, its speed doubled to 220 points.
Now it truly embodied the definition of an unstoppable shadow.
Without its speed advantage, Luvdisc was quickly defeated by Gengar, without even getting a chance to fight back.
Wallace's expression darkened slightly. He hadn't expected Cain to dismantle his tactic so easily.
It was clear that, as a Gym Leader specialized in water-type Pokémon, Cain was very familiar with rainy weather battles.
After this match, Wallace felt inspired to further develop his own rain-based strategies.
Who would ultimately control the rain—Cain or Wallace?
Wallace had lost his third Pokémon. The battlefield changed at random.
The new terrain gave Wallace a certain advantage: a combination of grass and a pond.
Pokémon: Whiscash (Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 54
Types: Water + Ground
Ability: Oblivious
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Whirlpool, Hydro Pump, Earth Power, Mud Shot
Basic Moves: Thrash, Belch, Zen Headbutt, Tickle, Mud-Slap, Mud Sport, Water Sport, Water Gun, Mud Bomb, Amnesia, Water Pulse, Magnitude, Rest, Snore, Aqua Tail, Earthquake, Muddy Water, Future Sight, Fissure
Learned Moves: Icy Wind, Bounce
TM Moves: Protect, Rain Dance, Scald, Stone Edge
Ever since Gengar evolved into its final form, ground-type moves now dealt double damage, as it had lost its Levitate ability.
After a prolonged terrain change and the passing of the rain's duration, it finally stopped. As a result, Gengar's Swift Swim ability was no longer active.
However, Cain didn't order Gengar to swap abilities again. This prevented Wallace's Pokémon from being able to take advantage of the rain again.
Upon Whiscash's entrance, Gengar began to sing a low, deep whisper mixed with a strange melody.
Surprised, Wallace gave an immediate order: "Whiscash, dive into the water and use Earthquake."
Upon hearing this, Whiscash ignored Gengar's chant and quickly submerged into the water.
The move Gengar was using was Perish Song. If successful, Whiscash would be cursed and automatically lose the battle after a few minutes.
Wallace remembered that Cain's Gengar didn't know Perish Song, which is what surprised him.
Luckily, he commanded Whiscash to act before the effect could activate.
Earthquake began underwater, creating ripples that traveled to the surface and across the ground.
The grass on the field bent in all directions as Gengar, still singing, took the full brunt of the attack.
(End of Chapter)