"Blaziken." Cain called softly.
In an instant, Blaziken understood. Flames ignited across its body as it charged straight toward the three Mightyena.
For a mere poacher, those three Mightyena were actually quite impressive — each had reached level 60, considered the threshold of Elite level.
It seemed that Sakata Kintoki had poured all of his resources into training those three Mightyena.
However, judging from their development and potential, their limit likely ended right there — just barely at the start of the Elite level.
If he wanted to advance further, this man would have to change Pokémon.
And what level was Blaziken at right now?
Elite Four level — with complete mastery over its power.
Facing those three Mightyena posed no challenge at all; in mere seconds, Blaziken had them all pinned to the ground, unable to fight back, utterly defeated.
Sakata Kintoki stared in disbelief as his three trusted Pokémon — his very means of survival — lost their ability to battle so easily.
"I'm guessing it was your Mightyena's sense of smell that let you detect our presence, wasn't it?" Cain approached slowly, speaking in a calm tone.
"Who are you? If you let me go, I can give you a lot of money — a fortune, enough to buy my life!" Sakata Kintoki's face was pale, though he still tried to keep his composure.
Cain smiled. "Oh? And how much money do you have?"
Sakata Kintoki lowered his head, pretending to count on his fingers how much he possessed.
But as he did, a large spider began to descend slowly in front of him.
An Ariados.
Cain acted as if he didn't notice, his eyes never leaving Sakata Kintoki.
And just when Sakata Kintoki thought his plan would succeed, a massive black hand extended from Cain's shadow and tightly seized the Ariados.
Gengar!
Seeing that, along with the mocking smile on Cain's face, Sakata Kintoki realized he had been completely tricked. Rage burned inside him — he clenched his teeth and threw a punch toward Cain.
Cain dodged easily, though Sakata Kintoki hadn't expected that punch to actually land anyway.
What really mattered was that when he closed his fist, his fingers pressed a hidden switch on his wrist — instantly, three small arrows tipped with a purple sheen shot forward.
And as if that weren't enough, from his other sleeve, a sharp dagger with a similarly violet-tinted blade slipped into his hand; he twirled it once and hurled it straight at Cain.
The arrows and dagger shot one after another toward Cain's body.
But just as the arrows were about ten centimeters away from him, they froze midair. The hand that held the dagger was gripped tightly — by Cain.
Sakata Kintoki suddenly realized he could no longer move; his whole body went rigid, his eyes wide with shock.
Only one thought flashed through his mind.
A Psychic!
...
Thud!
A man bound hand and foot crashed heavily onto the ground.
Officer Jenny and Drake were still waiting in the jeep, and when they saw something flying out from the forest toward them, they were shocked to realize it was a person.
Moments later, Cain appeared with Blaziken at his side.
"Officer Jenny, this man should be Sakata Kintoki. I'll leave him to you. Here are his Poké Balls — please keep them secure. The investigators will arrive soon to take over him and the Poké Balls." Cain handed her four Poké Balls, speaking evenly.
"Y-Yes, Mr. Cain!" Jenny tried to stand to salute but realized she was still in the driver's seat.
She started to rise, but Cain gestured for her to stay seated.
Meanwhile, Sakata Kintoki, his face swollen and bruised, stared wide-eyed.
Cain? The new member of Hoenn's Elite Four? The "Elite Four of the Sandstorm," Cain?
No wonder he'd been defeated so easily.
Still... was it really necessary to beat him up that badly? Especially in the face?!
"How was it?" Drake asked, glancing at the man lying face-down in the dirt.
Cain shrugged. "Too weak."
Hearing that, Sakata Kintoki nearly burst into tears.
Brother, did you have to be so blunt? What about my dignity?
Drake, however, nodded. "Yes, he's weak. But we didn't come for him anyway. This was mainly to teach you how to deal with criminals who'll stop at nothing. And it seems you're even better suited for these missions than I expected."
With that, he slowly stepped out of the vehicle. "Let's go, then. It's time to show you our true destination. Officer Jenny, he's yours."
"Leave it to me, Mr. Drake, Mr. Cain," Jenny replied firmly.
"I'm just a thief... maybe a strong one, but still just a thief. Did it really take two Elite Four to catch me? Well, at least I'll have something to brag about in prison — I was arrested by two Elite Four! The new star of the criminal world..." Sakata Kintoki thought, feeling oddly better about himself.
Drake and Cain mounted Salamence, which took off, soaring across the vast ocean.
Cain had already asked several times where they were headed, but Drake only smiled each time and gave no answer.
With no other choice, Cain simply waited in silence.
The sun slowly sank, painting the sky and sea red. In that endless crimson ocean, Cain and Drake seemed like two small leaves adrift, utterly insignificant.
"We've arrived." Salamence came to a halt midair, and Drake spoke.
"Arrived?" Cain blinked, looking around at the empty sea — there was nothing in sight except a few distant seabirds.
"Don't use your eyes. Use your psychic power to sense." Drake smiled.
Cain understood and extended his perception — but halfway through, he ran into an invisible barrier that blocked it.
"This is..."
Drake patted Salamence's neck. "Let me show you something. Welcome to... the Dragon Valley!"
As they advanced, an invisible curtain appeared before them, distorting the air. The curtain slowly opened, revealing an entirely different world beyond.
Salamence flapped its wings and entered. Once they passed through, the curtain closed behind them, as if it had never existed.
"Groaaar!"
Inside this realm, Salamence became visibly excited, lifting its head and roaring with all its might.
"Groaaaarr!"
"Groaaaarr!"
"Groaaaarr!"
Almost instantly, roars of dragons echoed back from every direction.
Within seconds, the entire valley pulsed with life.
Pokémon began emerging from all corners.
Cain's eyes widened in amazement at the sight.
"So this is the Dragon Valley?"
Drake smiled, satisfied by Cain's expression.
"Were you wondering where my old partner was? Look — he's coming toward us now." He pointed toward the horizon, where a colossal figure approached, wings beating powerfully.
It was... another Salamence!
(End of chapter)