Politoed's body began to emit water vapor that slowly dispersed into the air, reducing the heat in the environment.
Although Politoed's level and strength weren't higher than Swampert's, when it came to controlling water-type energy, Politoed was probably the most skilled Pokémon in Cain's team.
Even Slowking could, at most, match his ability. This was due to the intense training he had undergone under Cain's carefully planned regimen, improving step by step.
Part of the reason was that Politoed naturally has a strong affinity for water-type energy. Moreover, Cain's Politoed possessed the ability Drizzle, which gave him even more control over water-type power.
Compared to Slowking, Politoed had the advantage of being a pure water-type Pokémon, specialized solely in that area, while Slowking, being both psychic and water, split his potential between two types.
This allowed Politoed to shine in this particular domain.
However, all of Politoed's actions were done in secret, and neither Aron nor Larvitar, who were poised for battle, were aware of it.
Before Aron and Larvitar could attack, Magmortar made the first move.
The arm it had kept raised changed. The surrounding flames dissipated, revealing a dark barrel—like the muzzle of a large weapon.
Small yellow sparks began to flash inside the barrel, and a fire-wrapped projectile shot directly at Combusken, who had blocked its earlier attack.
Magmortar's mocking expression didn't waver for a second.
However, Combusken didn't panic. Cain had already given him instructions through their telepathic link.
With a powerful jump, Combusken nimbly dodged the fireball. Yet, when it crashed into the ground, the fireball disintegrated, producing a shower of sparks that partially scorched Combusken mid-air.
Even so, these fire attacks weren't very effective against Combusken, given he was also a fire-type Pokémon.
Meanwhile, Aron and Larvitar didn't waste any time.
Larvitar extended his hands, and the green horn on his head began to emit an earthy glow. Rocks started to materialize inside the cave, but shortly after, they became invisible.
Aron, on the other hand, braced his paws on the ground. Suddenly, two rocky chains erupted from the floor, stretching out to entangle Magmortar.
Magmortar, his red eyes gleaming, noticed the invisible rocks but didn't move. He faced the rocky chains with his fists, which immediately flared up with fire.
Each punch shattered one of the chains before they could trap him.
However, just as Magmortar seemed ready to flash a victorious grin, a shadow loomed above his head. It was Combusken, who had evaded the previous attack and now dove from above with a powerful kick.
Instinctively, Magmortar crossed his arms in front of his face to block the attack—just as Combusken had done earlier.
Bang!
The blow landed hard on Magmortar's crossed arms. The strength of Combusken's legs, combined with gravity from the descent, made for an impressive strike.
Even so, Magmortar managed to endure the hit.
His expression, however, remained mocking, as if to say, "Is that all you've got?"
But Combusken hadn't aimed to do major damage with that first kick. The goal of the initial strike was merely to break through Magmortar's defense, followed by a second immediate attack with his other leg.
Thanks to his elastic muscles, the second blow was no weaker than the first.
Bang!
The second kick landed squarely on Magmortar's face, knocking him to the ground—far more helpless than Combusken had been when struck earlier.
Magmortar's eyes burned with rage, and the flames on his body flared up explosively. However, just as they reached their peak, they unexpectedly started to weaken slightly.
Magmortar had no time to think about it. He was entirely consumed by fury.
Before he could get up, a fresh wave of attacks was already coming his way.
In a three-versus-one battle, maintaining the attack rhythm could determine everything. If the opponent managed to break the rhythm, they might regain balance. But once at a disadvantage, recovery became difficult.
At that moment, three massive rocks appeared above Magmortar. Larvitar had been storing energy since launching the invisible stones and now, under Cain's guidance, unleashed them.
The rocks crashed down thunderously.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
They struck Magmortar's face with brutal force.
His expression... truly looked like it was asking for another punch.
Aron, for his part, didn't miss the opportunity. With another move, he summoned three new rock chains—the most he could control at once. These latched onto the debris like iron chains, further restraining Magmortar.
Meanwhile, Combusken kept darting through the cave at high speed, zigzagging without stopping.
Though the initial attacks hadn't been enough to defeat Magmortar, the effects were beginning to accumulate.
Soon, the sound of cracking echoed from the rocks covering Magmortar, followed by small flames seeping through the fractures. The flames intensified until finally...
Boom!
The rocks and rock chains exploded simultaneously, revealing an exhausted but furious Magmortar.
His expression was no longer arrogant—it was pure rage. Combusken and Larvitar continued aiming directly for his face with their attacks.
Hitting a Pokémon in the face might not be very sportsmanlike, but this was a real battle!
Magmortar, his eyes burning with fury, rubbed his cheek with one hand while raising the other, as if saying: "You're not getting away, there's still plenty of fight left!"
However, Magmortar had failed to gain the upper hand from the very beginning, and Cain's Pokémon already controlled the flow of battle.
Thanks to Speed Boost and the use of Agility, Combusken's speed now far exceeded what Magmortar could match.
With flames flaring around his body, Combusken hurled himself at Magmortar like a blazing fireball.
Magmortar, face pale, raised both hands and unleashed a scorching wind, like the exhaust of a jet engine.
But it wasn't enough to stop Combusken.
At that moment, Aron and Larvitar exchanged a glance. Aron ran toward Larvitar, who placed his hands beneath him like a cannon and launched him forward with force.
It was a combo move between the two: Larvitar used his earth energy and strength like a spring, and Aron became a projectile.
Aron activated Magnet Rise, minimizing his weight mid-flight.
A thin layer of blue fire surrounded Aron as he shot toward Magmortar. It was Aron's Egg Move: Dragon Rush.
For the first time, it was being used in real battle.
And the target was a fire-type Pokémon in its own domain, surrounded by fire energy.
(End of Chapter)