Dark-type energy was expelled from the mouths of several Pokémon, especially from Hydreigon, which fired three spheres of energy from each of its heads.
All the Dark Pulse attacks intertwined in midair, turning into an even more gigantic Dark-type energy attack.
Boom!
Like a sharp arrow, the attack slammed fiercely into the sand shield created by Tyranitar. Aggron supported the shield from behind with its rocks, and Diancie also reinforced it with its diamonds.
Even so, Tyranitar's sand shield was being eroded at a rate visible to the naked eye.
"Tyranitar, Mega Evolve!"
It wasn't only Cain who had that thought: Tyranitar had it at exactly the same time.
Trainer and Pokémon had not initiated the Mega Evolution, nor had they engaged in any mental communication, yet both chose to activate Mega Evolution in the same instant, with impeccable synchronization.
The Key Stone on Cain's body emitted a multicolored glow that resonated with the Tyranitarite on Tyranitar, wrapping it in rainbow energy.
When the strange energy fused into Tyranitar's body, the Mega Evolution was completed instantly!
Mega Tyranitar!
"TYRAAANN!!" With a roar, massive amounts of sand surged from all directions toward the shield.
Even so, the combined shield continued to erode faster than it could withstand the combined Dark Pulse attack.
Fortunately, every attack has a limit. When the power of the six Dark Pulse attacks began to weaken, Tyranitar and the others finally managed to withstand the impact.
The Black Messenger did not order another attack immediately. Instead, with eyes gleaming, he stared intently at Cain's Tyranitar.
A Rock-type and Dark-type Tyranitar, in his eyes, was simply a perfect work of art.
"Your Tyranitar is far too perfect! In your hands, it's an absolute waste. It has the potential to become a legendary Pokémon—no, even the soul of an army! You don't truly know how to use it," the Black Messenger was already beginning to fantasize about how he would use it.
Cain frowned. It wasn't the first time someone had coveted his Pokémon, and he was already used to it.
Everyone has their own way of raising Pokémon, and for Cain, Tyranitar was growing perfectly, and its future path had already been planned.
What surprised him now was the Black Messenger's identity.
The combination of six Pokémon for a joint attack seemed simple, but only those who had used it knew how difficult it truly was.
The Black Messenger's six Pokémon had combined their energies following exact proportions of intensity and purity, achieving power far beyond a chaotic mixture of moves.
Finding that perfect combination was not something an ordinary trainer could accomplish. The only organization where this style was widespread was the League's military.
Do you know why among the three great executives of Team Rocket—Koga with Elite Four–level strength, Sabrina with her monstrous psychic powers, and the seemingly simpler Surge—all three could stand on the same level?
It was because of their same-type combined combat technique.
Surge, an expert in Electric-type Pokémon, possessed the most powerful move combinations in all of Team Rocket, even surpassing Giovanni. Moreover, his greatest strength lay in his ability to command units like a true army.
But the man in front of Cain, this Black Messenger... in terms of energy combination, he was even stronger than Surge.
"Are you from the League's military?" Cain's face turned extremely serious.
He didn't want to believe it, but it was the only logical possibility. And once that thought appeared, it replayed uncontrollably in his mind.
If the Sacred Church had infiltrated even the League's military...
The problem was truly severe.
The Black Messenger smiled, showing no nervousness at all, which only deepened Cain's suspicion.
Someone with power comparable to an Elite Four would not hold a low rank in the military. That meant he must know a great deal of the League's classified information.
"I'm intrigued by your evolution method. If you tell me about it, I could tell you all the secrets I know, even the organizational structure of the Sacred Church. I also have suspicions about the identity of the Church's current leader. I think you'd be interested."
"But I also want to keep your Tyranitar... what should I do with you? You're so outstanding that you make me hesitate," the Black Messenger scratched his shaved head, wearing a conflicted expression.
Cain no longer wanted to waste time. His double Mega Evolution could not be maintained for long, and the enemy was too aggressive. Defending forever was not his style.
He took out two more Poké Balls: Florges and Drapion appeared. If he wanted to finish this quickly, he could no longer abide by unspoken rules.
"Well, well, did you get angry? Want to win through numbers? Very Team Rocket of you," the Black Messenger remained unfazed.
Cain's eyes sharpened, and at the same time all of his Pokémon moved.
The move Misty Terrain spread out from Florges.
Blaziken, which had already used Swords Dance, charged forward, followed by Drapion and Aggron.
But as they approached, a thick, dark column of energy rushed to meet them. Blaziken narrowly dodged it, Drapion burrowed underground, and Aggron, which was a bit slower, was saved at the last second by Slowking's Teleport.
The Pokémon were still far away. The enemy was like a hedgehog covered in spikes: anyone who charged straight at it would only hurt themselves.
Moreover, he was clearly familiar with this fighting style and understood its strengths and weaknesses.
Want to get close?
You can.
But first, you'll have to lose one or two Pokémon. And with fewer numbers and less raw power, let's see how you fight afterward.
This was precisely the Black Messenger's favorite style.
With a pronounced smile, he looked at Cain. "I suppose that special evolution of yours doesn't affect your Pokémon much, but it must put pressure on you, right? Even if you're psychic..."
"How long can you maintain that state?"
"Are two Pokémon your limit?"
(End of chapter)