Cain narrowed his eyes as he reviewed the data of the opponent's Pokémon, paying special attention to the three capable of Mega Evolution and to the pseudo-legendary Hydreigon.
Pokémon: Hydreigon (Purple)
Gender: Male
Level: 80
Types: Dark + Dragon
Ability: Levitate
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Dark Pulse
Basic Moves: Outrage, Hyper Voice, Tri Attack, Dragon Rage, Focus Energy, Bite, Headbutt, Dragon Breath, Roar, Crunch, Slam, Dragon Pulse, Work Up, Dragon Rush, Body Slam, Scary Face
Learned Moves: Draco Meteor, Heat Wave, Earth Power, Iron Tail, Throat Chop, Aqua Tail, Tailwind
TM Moves: Protect, Earthquake, Hyper Beam, Double Team, Flamethrower, Rock Tomb, Steel Wing, Brutal Swing, Stone Edge, U-turn
A level 80 Hydreigon had just reached the threshold of the Champion level. And that threshold meant a great deal.
Aside from Hydreigon, the Black Messenger's other Pokémon had not reached the Champion level—at least without considering Mega Evolution. If he managed to Mega Evolve three Pokémon at the same time, the pressure on Cain would be enormous.
Seeing these stats, Cain frowned slightly: the Black Messenger's strength exceeded his expectations. But it was not an impossible battle.
The Black Messenger relied too much on external power, and Cain did not believe that the coordination between him and his Pokémon surpassed his own.
Almost at the same time, Tyranitar raised a massive cloud of sand, while Blaziken surrounded itself with intense golden flames. The temperature of the island spiked abruptly: nearby vegetation dried up instantly under the sand and heat.
With the assistance of Blaziken's heat, Tyranitar controlled the sand far more easily and in much greater quantity.
Seeing the sandstorm appear, the Black Messenger let out a cold laugh. He took out three stones that glowed with a strange multicolored light and threw them onto Houndoom, Gyarados, and Sharpedo.
In an instant, the three Pokémon were enveloped in iridescent energy, completing Mega Evolution through a special method.
"I assume you've already seen the special abilities of our Sacred Church, haven't you? I wonder how you managed to win when they used divine power. As far as I know, back then your strength wasn't as absurd as it is now," said the Black Messenger, enjoying the sight of his Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
"If you want to know, I'll show you. In any case, with their appearance, there's no reason to keep hiding it anymore," Cain replied calmly.
He took out a Key Stone.
The opponent had a Champion-level Hydreigon and three simultaneous Mega Evolutions. Although his method did not grant as much power as a normal Mega Evolution, the increase was still significant. Cain needed a strong presence to face it head-on.
"Mega Evolve! Gengar!" Cain commanded.
The Key Stone shone intensely and resonated with Gengar's stone. A multicolored light even more intense than the opponent's enveloped the Pokémon.
When the light dissipated, Mega Gengar appeared before the Black Messenger's eyes.
"Hahaha!" The Black Messenger's eyes gleamed with fanatic excitement as he stared at Gengar and the Key Stone. "So that's how it is! Now I understand! You can make your Pokémon evolve through a special method—and judging by the magnitude and stability of the boost, your method is the real one. Mine, by comparison, is trash."
He continued, "Tell me how you do it, and I'll let you go today. I'll even close the spatial rift for you so you can report without any trouble. What's more, I can guarantee that the Sacred Church won't approach you again."
Cain let out a cold laugh.
"Are you going to fight or not? I don't think your Mega Evolutions will last very long if you keep talking."
The Black Messenger froze for a moment, and his expression hardened.
"Then I'll wait until I capture you first. After that, we can decide how to talk."
After Mega Evolving, Mega Gengar mimicked Tyranitar's ability, creating a second sandstorm layered atop the first.
At the same time, Slowking raised a psychic network that reinforced the environment.
"Three cores, huh?" the Black Messenger snorted, feigning disdain, though his face was serious. "Let me show you something. Having more cores and good coordination isn't everything. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many trainers who specialize in a single type."
"Specialization reduces variety, but..."
The Black Messenger watched the increasingly intense sandstorm.
"...but specialization can generate pure power. Have you ever heard of quantitative change producing qualitative change?"
Those words caused Cain's expression to shift.
"Diancie, Diamond Storm! Aggron, Rock Slide! Tyranitar! Use diamonds, rocks, and sand to form a defensive shield. Slowking, psychic barrier!" Cain ordered.
At that instant, the Black Messenger's six Pokémon lined up.
"Sixfold Dark Pulse!" he commanded.
All six Pokémon opened their jaws simultaneously. Dark energy gathered in each mouth, forming six dense, ominous black spheres.
Cain watched Tyranitar's sand shield and Slowking's psychic barrier take shape, but his concern did not lessen.
This was the quintessential style of a specialist trainer: simple, direct, and devastating.
This type of combined attack—where an increase in quantity produced a complete change in quality—was not easy to execute: it required perfect coordination and absolute control over the released power.
It was the technique most frequently used by the League's military forces. Their units were classified by type, and their most powerful weapon was precisely this concentrated assault.
What the Black Messenger was doing was exactly that: a maximum-power combined attack.
(End of chapter)