Chapter 662: Cain vs. Drake
Facing a member of the Elite Four is a privilege many trainers aspire to, but very few achieve.
The title of Elite Four not only signifies having the strength of an elite-level trainer but often implies being far above that level.
This is especially true in the regions of Kanto and Johto, with Kanto leading the charge. As the epicenter of the Pokémon League, Kanto is brimming with talent, and its Elite Four members are considered some of the most powerful trainers in the world.
In fact, if one of them were to be transferred to another region, like Sinnoh, they would likely become the strongest member of the Elite Four there—though this doesn't mean other regions lack extremely powerful trainers.
The reason Kanto hasn't had a stable Champion for so long is because its Elite Four members are incredibly strong. No one has been able to completely dominate these powerful trainers.
Not even Lance, who would eventually become Champion, could achieve it easily.
Although he's sometimes mocked with the nickname "Flying-Type Champion" rather than Dragon-Type Champion, Lance's strength is undeniable.
His name is often used as a benchmark to measure the power of other trainers. A clear example of this is Giovanni.
On multiple occasions, Giovanni has demonstrated his strength by boasting things like, "I defeated Lance in just a few moves," emphasizing his power as a true threat.
But setting comparisons aside, the opportunity to face Drake, one of the Elite Four members of Hoenn, deeply excited Cain.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Cain trusted that Drake wouldn't use his strongest Pokémon. This gave him some relief, though the battle would still be incredibly challenging.
Once the decision to battle was made, the sailors aboard the ship quickly cleared the deck, leaving ample space for the fight.
"Cain!" Drake began, his face serious.
"Show me what you're capable of, and if you manage to impress me, you might get what you want. But if you don't meet my expectations, I must say the new generations of Hoenn will have deeply disappointed me."
Cain, for his part, also adopted a serious demeanor.
He wasn't surprised that Drake had guessed his intentions. After all, standing before a Dragon-type specialist like Drake, anyone with a Dragon-type Pokémon would naturally seek to learn from his vast knowledge.
Dragon-type Pokémon are incredibly difficult to train. Not everyone would have the resolve to give them up so easily, as Ash would later in his journey.
Without a word, Cain nodded with determination.
"Very well!" Drake said, pleased with Cain's firm and confident attitude.
"Let's begin!" With a swift motion, Drake threw a Poké Ball.
Immediately, a powerful Shelgon appeared on the deck. Its body was encased in a tough shell, and though it stood firmly on its four legs, its eyes, barely visible through the plates of its armor, gleamed with a fierce combat intent.
Shelgon! The Dragon-type Pokémon, the intermediate form of the formidable Salamence.
Seeing Shelgon on the battlefield, Cain couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of envy. He had fought hard to acquire his own pseudo-legendary Pokémon, while Drake had several of them.
Cain was certain this Shelgon was the offspring of Drake's Salamence. That meant Drake likely had at least two fully-evolved Salamence on his team, and now even their offspring had evolved into Shelgon.
If Cain remembered correctly, in the future, when Ash encountered Drake and battled him, Drake would use a Shelgon in his team. By then, Drake would probably have four pseudo-legendaries under his command.
It was impressive!
Practically a Salamence factory.
It was astonishing that someone like Drake, with so many powerful Pokémon, had only reached the position of Elite Four member and not Champion.
How strong must Steven be to have claimed that title?
Steven didn't have the advantage of specializing in such a powerful type as Dragon, but his skill as a trainer was undeniable. His success couldn't simply be attributed to his affinity for Steel-type Pokémon.
His talent was authentic!
"Steven is incredible..." Cain thought to himself as he activated his system to scan Shelgon and gather its details.
Pokémon: Shelgon (Dark Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 49
Type: Dragon
Ability: Rock Head
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Dragon Rage, Twister, Dragon Rush, Defense Curl
Basic Moves: Protect, Rage, Ember, Leer, Bite, Dragon Breath, Headbutt, Focus Energy, Crunch, Dragon Claw, Zen Headbutt, Scary Face, Flamethrower
Learned Moves: Draco Meteor, Outrage, Dragon Pulse, Iron Defense
TM Moves: Hidden Power (Fire), Rock Tomb, Shadow Claw, Rock Slide, Sleep Talk
This Shelgon, at level 49 and of dark blue quality, was one step away from evolving into Salamence. Its level was just shy of elite status. The dragon lineage was evident, with powerful egg moves showcasing the purity of its bloodline.
Drake, however, hadn't brought out one of his strongest Pokémon. But even so, the Shelgon in front of Cain was much stronger than any of his team members.
Cain knew his best chance of victory lay in his Slowking, the Water- and Psychic-type Pokémon.
Although speed wasn't Slowking's strength, the system had revealed that his Slowking was very close to reaching the maximum advanced level, giving him an edge over Shelgon.
"Interesting..." Drake commented with a smile. "Your Slowking is famous—I'm eager to see how strong it is."
Cain knew the battle wouldn't be easy, but he was ready.
"Slowking, prepare yourself! Unleash your full psychic power, and use Nasty Plot!"
Slowking's eyes shone brightly as it increased its special attack.
"Shelgon, use Dragon Pulse to start the battle," Drake ordered seriously. The dragon energy condensed in Shelgon's mouth, which then unleashed a violet-blue beam straight at Slowking.
"Slowking, counter with Water Pulse and then use Trick Room!"
Although Shelgon was slow, Slowking was even slower. By changing the rules of the battle with Trick Room's effect, Cain intended to give his most strategic Pokémon the advantage, relying on wit to compensate for the power gap.
(End of Chapter)