The unfortunate head of the Nishikawa family always believed that he was the protagonist, but he never imagined that in reality he was nothing more than a disposable piece.
No, his role was still significant: he managed to draw all of the League's attention.
To capture him, in Slateport City, aside from Cain, there was no one else strong enough, which allowed the members of the Sacred Church to seize the opportunity to carry out their plan.
And although the Nishikawa patriarch was not weak, if they fought openly, if Cain did not use Mega Evolution, it would still take him some time to defeat him.
But due to the actions of the Sacred Church, combined with the impact of Cain's sudden surge in power, his mind became unsettled.
With his spirit completely unstable, the Nishikawa patriarch fell at Cain's feet. From the moment his surprise attack began until everything ended, barely thirty minutes passed.
It was truly a brilliant but brief sacrifice, yet surprisingly effective.
After finishing him off, Cain left no survivors: he used as an excuse an out-of-control Pokémon attack that had "accidentally killed" them.
That man had investigated extensively to find Cain, and being captured by the League would bring him nothing good.
Once it was resolved, Cain finally took out the communicator that had vibrated several times. All the calls were from Juan.
"President," Cain pressed the answer button.
"Cain, what happened? What occurred on the island in front of Slateport City?" Juan asked immediately.
"It seems we fell into a counter-trap. They made us believe we had set an ambush for them, but they took advantage of our lack of caution and carried out a double action: in the sea, they created a massive spatial rift. I don't yet know all the details," Cain explained simply.
Juan fell silent for a moment on the other end of the line. "And that man? Did you deal with him?"
"Yes, I'm already on my way," Cain said, standing on Salamence's back as he flew toward the island.
"Be careful. We're already heading to Slateport City. We'll arrive in an hour and a half. If you can't win, just hold on," Juan said.
"Understood!" Cain nodded and patted Salamence's neck to speed up.
As he drew closer, Cain discovered that the size of the spatial rift was truly exaggerated, as if the sky had opened a gigantic mouth with the intention of devouring the entire island.
The residents were evacuating rapidly. At the center of the island, Cain saw a young man dressed in a black suit, laughing loudly while shouting toward the rift. In front of him were two Pokémon, throwing one Pokémon after another into the dark opening.
Not far away, there was a large number of complex devices. It was obvious that thanks to these instruments, the spatial rift connecting to an unknown place had been created.
"Salamence!" Cain ordered softly.
"GROAARR!"
A deafening roar echoed. Moments later, a powerful sonic wave burst from Salamence's mouth.
Immediately, an Umbreon appeared in front of the young man in the black suit, successfully blocking the attack.
The young man turned around, revealing a smile that was both mocking and provocative.
"Well, if it isn't our beloved Elite Four Cain? What's wrong? I bring your enemy right to your doorstep and this is how you reward me? Or do you think that just because you're wearing the League's uniform, you're a legitimate member of the elite?"
Cain leapt down from Salamence's back and threw several Poké Balls.
"Black Messenger, right now Kanto is in chaos. What are you doing so far away from there, coming to our Hoenn region?" Cain, although seeing him for the first time, already had an idea of who he was.
The Black Messenger was one of the three known members of the Sacred Church who traveled across the Pokémon world.
"Oh? It seems you know who I am," the man raised an eyebrow. "Interested in joining us? I see talent in you. You could very well become a Messenger too."
Cain didn't bite the bait.
"Turn off that ridiculous device. Don't force me to do it for you."
"Hehehe... HAHAHAHA! This is too good! I'm going to die laughing, haha!" The Black Messenger clutched his stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
Seeing this reaction, Cain had Slowking move forward. An energy orb shot toward the instruments.
BOOM!
A Pangoro suddenly appeared and, with a single slap, deflected the attack, which exploded to the side, kicking up dirt.
"Cain, Cain... you really make me pity you. Do you really think that by becoming one of those damn Elite Four you turn into a true member of the League? You still can't see reality?" the Black Messenger said amid laughter, tears in his eyes.
Cain remained unmoved. No matter what the other knew, he could not admit anything. Not even if there was no one else around.
"If you like making up fantasies, I can throw you into the League's prison, and there you'll have time to write them," Cain replied coldly.
"Tsk, there's nothing to be done. I have no proof, and those old men of the League are so dazzled by you that they believe everything you say," the Black Messenger's smile faded.
He took out Poké Balls and threw them one after another. Along with those already present—Umbreon and Pangoro—now appeared Houndoom, Sharpedo, Gyarados, and the pseudo-legendary of Unova, Hydreigon.
Six Pokémon. Except for Gyarados, all were Dark-type. And if Gyarados Mega Evolved, it would become that type as well.
Clearly, this Black Messenger was a trainer specializing in Dark-type Pokémon.
Cain released his own: his strongest lineup centered around Tyranitar.
Tyranitar, Slowking, Gengar, Blaziken, Aggron, and... Diancie.
When Diancie appeared, the Black Messenger's eyes lit up.
"Diancie? I didn't expect you to have one so valuable. You truly surprise me. Well, I admit it—I want to keep it. Allow me to retrieve it from you," the Black Messenger smiled.
The fact that he recognized it surprised Cain. Diancie had not yet been registered in any Pokédex. Even in the Kalos region, those who did not study Carbink were unaware of its existence.
(End of chapter)