"According to plan!" Drake roared in a deep voice.
He leapt onto his Salamence and charged straight toward Archie.
Salamence lunged at Archie, while Matt—the most loyal and simple-minded—rushed at Drake.
Meanwhile, Cain advanced alongside his Tyranitar toward the one who seemed the weakest and least remarkable among the three Team Aqua Executives: Amber.
Upon seeing Cain and his Tyranitar, Amber's face changed drastically. He threw two Poké Balls, summoning his Walrein and Ludicolo.
Caught off guard, Tyranitar gathered a surge of dark energy into his fists and slammed them directly into Walrein's and Ludicolo's faces.
Bang!
Bang!
Faced with such overwhelming power, the two Pokémon couldn't withstand the blows and were sent flying.
However, just as they were thrown back, Cain waved his right hand, and behind Amber, a rift opened into an alternate space. The two Pokémon struck by Tyranitar were hurled inside, and Amber, without thinking twice, followed them in.
Cain and Tyranitar immediately entered after him.
Before stepping through, Cain glanced toward Shelly, who stood to the side, slightly dazed.
Shelly instantly understood what Cain meant; she clenched her teeth and leapt into the alternate space. The portal closed behind her.
Amber, who had entered first, was already prepared for battle and had released all six of his Pokémon: Walrein, Ludicolo, Sharpedo, Quagsire, Pelipper, and finally, Cloyster.
All six were Water-type. Except for Pelipper, who was only at Initial Elite Four level, the rest possessed the strength of Intermediate Elite Four level.
The core of his team was clear: a Pelipper with the Drizzle ability to summon rain. His main attacker was Ludicolo, a Water- and Grass-type Pokémon with Swift Swim. Quagsire covered the Electric-type weakness, while Walrein and Cloyster, both Water and Ice, could effectively threaten Grass-types.
It was a well-structured monotype team; considering its level and balance, it was practically one of the most optimized configurations possible.
Cain recalled analyzing his own rain team once: Politoed as the summoner, Swampert to resist Electric-types, Ludicolo to counter Grass-types, and the remaining Pokémon adjusted depending on the opponent.
He couldn't help but acknowledge that Amber's strategy resembled his own. That Team Aqua Executive, though little-known, had a remarkable tactical mind.
Inside the alternate space, rain began to fall—and it grew heavier by the second.
Amber stood at the far end, observing Cain coldly, but didn't attack right away.
At some point, a dagger appeared in his hand. He spun it effortlessly between his fingers as he said, "So this is the Elite Four of the Sandstorm, the one who just ascended to the Elite Four? I admit you're strong, but do you really think you can survive against the two of us?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Shelly, who stood beside her former strongest Pokémon, Walrein.
Cain smiled faintly, taking the Poké Balls from his belt one by one. He looked at Shelly, then at Amber, who exuded total confidence, and released his team.
Tyranitar, Blaziken, Slowking, Florges, Aggron, and Gengar. He didn't need more. That formation was enough.
"The rain team isn't bad," Cain said calmly. "You seem to know that only another weather can counter your own. It's just a shame your Pelipper is only at Initial Elite Four level."
At those words, Amber's eyes narrowed. "Maybe my Pelipper is only Initial Elite Four, but your Tyranitar has just reached that level too. And besides, I activated rain first. In these conditions, your sandstorm will never form."
Then he shouted toward Shelly, who still stood motionless: "Shelly, what are you doing? We're one step from success—don't stop now!"
But she didn't react; she only folded her arms and lowered her head, lost in thought.
Cain also looked at her, smiling even wider. "It's true, rain suppresses sandstorms... but that depends on who summons it."
"And tell me—who said my sandstorm core hasn't already reached Intermediate Elite Four level?"
"Tyranitar, Slowking—Sandstorm Domain!"
At Cain's command, sand and gravel began to swirl around Tyranitar, enveloping him completely. If he wished, he could unleash the gale at any moment. But the humidity in the air made it difficult to control.
Amber grew anxious upon seeing how easily Tyranitar summoned so much sand. "Pelipper, intensify the rain!"
"Walrein, Ludicolo, Sharpedo, Quagsire, Cloyster—generate water currents! Let's see if he can lift his sand now!"
The environment became even more saturated with moisture.
It was a battle of climates. If Amber could suppress the sandstorm, then with rain on his side, he was convinced victory would be his.
After all, Tyranitar, Aggron, and Blaziken were all weak to Water-types.
Cain, however, watched him with a hint of admiration. Though unimposing and slender, Amber thought with clarity—his objective was to crush the sandstorm.
But then, Cain pulled a Key Stone from his pocket. "Tyranitar, we can't let him mock us. Mega Evolve!"
Channeling his will into the Key Stone, Cain synchronized his mind with Tyranitar's. Within seconds, the Mega Evolution was complete.
Mega Tyranitar!
Amber and Shelly stared in shock. Tyranitar's form grew even more imposing and ferocious.
It was beyond their understanding.
"That's..." Amber muttered, staring at the colossal Tyranitar.
Sand began to rise around it. Even though the air was thick with humidity, Mega Tyranitar maintained absolute control.
No matter how much Pelipper tried, the rain could no longer suppress the sandstorm.
"This is only the beginning. Gengar!" Cain shouted.
Gengar immediately understood. His eyes gleamed with dark energy as he mimicked Mega Tyranitar's Sand Stream ability.
At once, sand began swirling around him as well.
A double sandstorm!
And Gengar, now at Advanced Elite Four level, amplified the storm's intensity to its limit.
The sand raged uncontrollably.
(End of chapter)