🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆
Thank you all for the amazing support throughout this year. 💙To celebrate the arrival of the new year, here is a special New Year code:
🎁 Code:NewYear: F3B16
📅 Code validity:
Start: December 30, 2025 at 11:55 p.m.
End: January 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy it and let's start this new year strong. 🚀✨Here's to an amazing 2026! 🎉
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Steven and Wallace understood very well the helplessness that Lance was feeling at this moment.
Because they had also tried.
The two of them had already faced that same kind of tactic.
It was unbearable!
Steven's rock-type Pokémon, Wallace's water-type Pokémon—when they faced Florges, they had also gone through the same situation.
But none of them had it as bad as Lance's Kingdra.
That a dragon-type Pokémon would be countered was nothing new—after all, it was facing a fairy-type Pokémon.
But now even its water-type moves had no effect!
The Sniper ability had been nullified by the move Lucky Chant.
On top of that, its special attack had been reduced.
Two moves launched, and Florges didn't even flinch, without raising the slightest defense.
"In that case! Kingdra, Ice Beam!" Lance could only choose an ice-type move.
As someone who knew dragon-type Pokémon best, in order not to fall at a disadvantage in internal dragon-type battles, the best thing was for them to master several ice-type moves.
But just as the Ice Beam move finished charging, Florges once again changed its type from grass to fairy.
The instant the attack shot out, the moonlight shone once again on Kingdra's body.
A stabbing pain!
It was as if its whole body were set on fire.
At the same time, the Ice Beam move struck Florges.
But it left not even a trace of frost.
Because another of the effects of the move Misty Terrain was preventing Pokémon within it from falling under status conditions or confusion.
"Florges, Wish!"
At that moment, a smile appeared on Cain's face.
If there wasn't someone capable of countering Florges by type, or overpowering it through sheer strength, the only thing left was to resign oneself to being slowly worn down until defeat.
Especially if it was male Pokémon.
Florges, with a pious smile, raised its hands, and a ray of sacred light bathed its body.
The move Wish was released.
In a short time, it would recover half or even more of its energy.
That was another of Florges' healing resources.
Combined with the continuous effect of the move Grassy Terrain...
It could only be said that... it was suffocating.
Lance watched her wide-eyed, unable to decide what order to give.
But Cain wasn't going to show mercy at that instant.
He ordered Florges to use the move Moonblast once more.
The third time the moonlight beam struck Kingdra, it could no longer resist: with eyes rolled back, it collapsed on the ground.
Whether because of the attacks or because of how repulsive the strategy was, it had fallen.
In conclusion, the winner of that battle was Cain!
Even if it didn't feel entirely honorable, since when he had faced Steven and Wallace, he used Intermediate Elite Four level Pokémon, while against Cain they had only had to face a Pokémon of Initial Elite Four level.
But winning was winning.
Besides, an Intermediate Elite Four level Pokémon defeating an Initial Elite Four level Pokémon wasn't anything to boast about anyway.
The real balance lay in the battle between Florges and Kingdra.
The problem was that Kingdra was far too disadvantaged against her.
"Florges, use Grassy Terrain on Kingdra." Cain finished his telepathy and smiled.
Lance's face twisted into a constipated expression.
The look he shot at Cain was strange.
Who could invent such a twisted tactic?
Was this a punishment sent by the heavens specifically against him?
But what he didn't know was that he had yet to meet the true rival destined to counter him.
Kingdra slowly recovered energy until it woke up; upon seeing Florges, it didn't know how to react.
"Brother Cain, you're incredible!" At that moment, Ash was the first to rush out from the edge of the field.
After understanding the name and logic of Cain's tactic, Ash became his little admirer completely.
Gary, although he didn't dare to praise the name of the strategy, couldn't help but show sincere admiration for Cain in his eyes.
In the hearts of the two young boys, Cain left a very deep mark.
At that time Ash and Gary would have been about six or seven years old; it was still a long way before they would set out on their journeys as trainers.
Cain smiled and ruffled both their hair with his hand.
Not just anyone could touch those heads so easily.
It was like giving them a blessing.
With their status, for Cain to touch their heads was almost like receiving a sacred ritual.
Steven and Wallace went up to Lance and, understandingly, patted him on the shoulder.
With their eyes, the three of them shared thoughts.
Who had invented this tactic?
He himself.
You guys were victims too?
Yes! And more than once.
Truly admirable that you endured it so many times.
No, no, you were the most harmed, at least we could resist somewhat.
"Ugh..."
Thus, a new member joined the list of those who suffered against Cain's toxic tactics.
That group kept growing.
Resigned, Lance put away the battered Kingdra: "Your tactic really is..."
There were no words.
Cain only smiled, without answering.
In reality, it wasn't as suffocating as Lance thought, it was just that he had the bad luck of Kingdra being Florges' perfect target.
With another Pokémon, it wouldn't have been so difficult.
For example, Charizard or Aerodactyl.
Professor Oak also came over, patted Cain on the shoulder and commented with a smile: "Good tactic. If possible, I'd like you to spread it."
At those words, Cain didn't get the chance to answer, because the others immediately interrupted.
"Come on, come on, they say today at the League's restaurant there's amazing instant ramen, let's go try it."
"Instant ramen? I'm not missing that!"
As soon as he heard about food, Professor Oak lost all interest in continuing the topic with Cain.
Steven, Lance, and Wallace also silently sighed in relief.
That tactic must not spread!
No way!
Although in their eyes, a gleam shone.
What other Pokémon could replicate Florges' battle style?
Would it be worth traveling to Kalos to capture one as a hidden trump card?
Ideas boiled in their heads.
Cain was also thinking of something else.
Not about Florges' tactic, which had only arisen as an accidental experiment.
What worried him was the current Tournament.
If Koga was participating, would Team Rocket also intervene?
If so, would Lance's succession as Elite Four still remain stable?
For now, the League still didn't suspect Koga too much.
If given the chance, Cain wanted to talk to him in person.
To find out whether that time when he incriminated him had been accidental... or intentional.
If it had been deliberate, then, since he was such an expert assassin, Cain would have to always stay alert.
Not even Gengar would be enough to ensure his safety!
(End of chapter)