Chapter 684: The Simple Initial Version of the Rain Team
"Are you ready?" Cain asked.
The Pokémon nodded eagerly, ready to begin. After so much training, they needed a battle to test their skills.
This would be the main battle for the second team's Pokémon, and they couldn't afford to disappoint Cain.
Seeing the excitement on his Pokémon's faces, Cain smiled.
"Poliwag, use Rain Dance!"
"Marshtomp, use Water Pulse!"
"Aron, charge and use Iron Tail!"
"Combusken, move quickly and then use Double Kick."
These four Pokémon formed a team with synergy. This was one of the reasons Cain had not brought Larvitar: it didn't fit well with the group yet.
Although Combusken was a Fire-type Pokémon, which usually doesn't benefit in rainy weather, in this team, it acted primarily as a Fighting-type.
Unless facing a Grass-type Pokémon that countered the Water-types, Combusken would use its speed advantage as a swift fighter.
On the other hand, Aron served as the team's frontline, absorbing the initial impact of enemy attacks. Aron could play a role in either a Rain team or a Sandstorm team thanks to its defensive characteristics.
The core of the Rain team was Poliwag. Although it hadn't evolved into Politoed yet to gain the Drizzle ability, it had already learned Rain Dance.
This allowed it to get used to controlling Water-type energy, and when it eventually evolved into Politoed, it would better understand the Drizzle ability.
Additionally, Poliwag had the Swift Swim ability, meaning its speed would double in rainy weather.
Marshtomp, while not benefiting from a speed boost in the rain, could still take advantage of it to strengthen its Water-type moves and improve its recovery.
This was the first time they used this formation in battle, so Cain utilized telepathy to direct them, ensuring the Pokémon could react quickly and coordinate better.
The previously clear sky suddenly darkened.
Poliwag had executed Rain Dance precisely, evidenced by the size of the clouds gathering above.
If Cain could obtain a Damp Rock, a rare item that extends the duration of rain, this team would have even more potential. However, such items weren't easy to come by.
Although... Cain did have a friend who was a stone enthusiast!
The sudden appearance of clouds made the Geodude on the small rocky hill uneasy. It had been clear just moments ago—why was it raining now?
But they didn't have much time to think. Under Poliwag's control, the downpour intensified.
Then, the attacks began to rain down (literally) on them.
Marshtomp leapt nimbly across the now-damp ground, gathering water around him to form a sphere of Water-type energy. With a volleyball-like motion, it launched the Water Pulse directly at the nearest Geodude.
The attack struck Geodude and exploded on impact, causing tremendous damage.
A Water-type move with quadruple effectiveness, boosted by the user's typing, and enhanced by rain, took down Geodude in one hit.
But this was just the beginning. After the first Geodude fell, the remaining Geodude and Graveler in the area quickly gathered. Normally, they didn't look for trouble, but when someone provoked them, they became incredibly united and determined.
Aron stepped forward on his small legs, facing the crowd of Geodude and Graveler with a defiant attitude.
"Kurr!" Aron let out a challenging cry.
Immediately, a horde of Geodude charged at him, but Aron met them head-on with a flurry of attacks. Using Iron Tail and Metal Claw, it skillfully defended itself.
"Rooooar!" A Graveler observing from behind, enraged at seeing its companions being beaten, let out a roar.
Small stones on the ground began to tremble, and larger rocks shattered. It was using Earthquake.
The Geodude quickly scattered, but Aron stood firm, drawing them all into his position. Just as the Earthquake was about to strike him, faint electric sparks appeared on Aron's limbs, slowly lifting him off the ground.
Magnet Rise!
Meanwhile, Marshtomp condensed another Water Pulse sphere, and Poliwag dashed forward, resembling a blue streak heading toward Aron.
Poliwag's Swift Swim ability activated under the rain, doubling its speed.
Like Marshtomp, Poliwag formed a water sphere in front of it. Though smaller and containing less energy, it launched the sphere quickly.
A perfectly timed attack!
Poliwag's water sphere hit Graveler, and almost immediately, Marshtomp's Water Pulse struck the Graveler behind it.
Boom!
Boom!
The level 26 Graveler collapsed after taking two consecutive hits, unable to continue fighting.
Poliwag and Aron worked together to take on the Geodude, with Poliwag using its speed and size to weave between enemies, striking whenever an opportunity arose. It seemed to move freely, taunting the Geodude.
Meanwhile, Combusken, having already increased its speed, avoided the main battle and headed for another Graveler approaching from the rear.
Marshtomp also avoided the main fight to join Combusken against Graveler.
Though Graveler was slow, it was at level 25—a respectable level for an evolved Geodude. Now, it faced a level 19 Combusken and a level 18 Marshtomp.
Bang!
Bang!
Combusken landed two hits on Graveler and, instead of continuing the fight, flipped through the air and retreated.
Marshtomp moved forward, attacking with a water-covered tail that extended like a giant whip, striking Graveler before quickly retreating.
Graveler roared in frustration but couldn't do anything.
Combusken turned back and, once again, landed a Double Kick on its back. When Graveler turned, Marshtomp's Aqua Tail struck its back again.
They were taunting it!
It was left crippled and on the ground, an easy target for any attack.
Meanwhile, Aron and Poliwag had already finished dealing with the group of Geodude, thanks to Aron's defensive capability and Poliwag's speed.
The group of Geodude and Graveler, with an average level around 20, had been defeated by a team consisting of a level 22 Aron, a level 20 Poliwag, a level 19 Combusken, and a level 18 Marshtomp.
Cain's Rain Team now had a simple initial version!
(End of Chapter)