Shedinja, as a Bug- and Ghost-type Pokémon, takes double damage from Flying-, Rock-, Ghost-, Fire-, and Dark-type moves.
Only moves of these five types can harm Shedinja, and Cain's Gengar's Shadow Ball is precisely the move that can damage Shedinja.
Kaya's expression turned somewhat grim, but she didn't believe Cain had responded specifically because he understood this particular Pokémon.
After all, having been in the League for so long, rarely—if ever—had anyone recognized Shedinja. Kaya herself had only discovered this Pokémon's existence by flipping through a book on Bug-type Pokémon, and she had tested its traits herself through multiple experiments.
Facing Gengar's two dark spheres, Shedinja, under Kaya's command, used Protect just in time to block the first attack. As for the second attack, it was intercepted by Ninjask, which quickly arrived from behind and also used Protect.
However, due to Gengar's attack, both Pokémon significantly reduced their speed.
Next, Slowking taught them a lesson. With its mouth puffed up, it gathered a large amount of Fire-type energy, as if pouring out lava, directly spraying the two Pokémon.
This time, they had no way to use Protect again, and they were close enough to Slowking that the Flamethrower attack hit them directly.
After so much training, Slowking's Flamethrower was no longer what it used to be.
Although not as powerful as that of a Fire-type Pokémon, it now had considerable strength.
Through telepathy, upon hearing Cain's explanation of this Pokémon, Steven showed an expression of understanding. To finish things off, his Metagross condensed a black, spinning ball, directing it straight at Shedinja through the flames with the help of its psychic powers.
Both attacks hit, and with Shedinja's physical frailty, there wasn't much to say—it immediately lost its ability to battle.
Ninjask, although it managed to escape thanks to its speed, became far less effective without Shedinja's collaboration. Now it was just a fast Pokémon, but an extremely fragile one.
On Slowking and Metagross's side, the advantage was overwhelming, as expected.
However, Drapion and Aggron were having a much tougher time.
At this moment, Drapion, whose arms were locked with Armaldo's, was already covered in wounds. Even its once-flexible tail showed signs of fracture.
Despite its sturdy build, Drapion could not match Armaldo's physical strength.
This wasn't surprising, as Armaldo had a significant level advantage over Drapion.
Beside it, Aggron, also fighting against Armaldo, bore numerous wounds.
Even though it was a Steel-type Pokémon, Aggron was not without weaknesses, and Earthquake—being four times effective against Aggron—dealt devastating damage with each attack.
Despite their severe injuries, both Pokémon managed to endure thanks to the support of Floette's Grassy Terrain. Without that move's effects, they probably wouldn't have lasted this long.
Ninjask and Heracross quickly withdrew to try to help Armaldo defeat Aggron first, but on their way, they encountered Gengar, which emerged from the shadows to block them.
After defeating Shedinja, Slowking and Metagross extended their psychic powers toward Armaldo, preparing to attack it. However, Armaldo fired a dark blue, iron-scented jet of saltwater, dealing damage and causing intense pain to Drapion and Aggron.
It was the move Brine.
Weakened by the pain, both Pokémon were struck again by Armaldo's Earthquake attack.
Boom!
Aggron, after taking the Brine attack followed by the close-range Earthquake effects, finally lost its ability to battle and collapsed to the ground.
Floette's Grassy Terrain move couldn't heal it in time.
Drapion, though still standing, was severely injured, barely holding on with its last breath. The only advantage it had over Aggron was that Earthquake's damage was only double for it, which, combined with Floette's assistance, prevented it from being taken out immediately.
However, it had fulfilled its mission well, as Slowking and Metagross had arrived in the area.
With their combined psychic support, Armaldo attempted to quickly defeat Drapion, but it failed, as its hands were immobilized by Slowking and Metagross's psychic abilities.
Metagross lunged into close combat, using its four arms like hammers to repeatedly strike Armaldo, leaving it with only the ability to defend itself.
Meanwhile, Slowking stopped assisting Metagross. Being a pseudo-legendary Pokémon at a similar level to Armaldo, Metagross didn't need additional support.
Slowking began forming numerous black spheres of psychic energy that spun around it, increasing in number. These spheres, charged with psychic energy intertwined with the environment, resembled small black holes surrounded by pink lightning.
When they were finally ready, Heracross, which had been previously blocked, couldn't escape and took the full impact of Slowking's Psychic attack.
With Psychic-type moves being twice as effective against Fighting-types, and the charge time amplifying the attack's power, Heracross fell to the ground, unable to rise again.
Now, only Ninjask, Armaldo, and possibly one more Pokémon accompanying Kaya remained.
Although Ninjask was extremely fast, it couldn't last long against Gengar and Slowking's combined attack. In the end, it fell to Gengar's Fire Punch.
On the other hand, the battle between Armaldo and Metagross was reaching its conclusion.
Armaldo had defeated Aggron, which not only enraged Metagross but also Steven. However, there wasn't much to be done, as Aggron's weakness to Ground-type moves was inescapable.
Armaldo's use of Earthquake was exceptional.
Kaya wasn't an inexperienced trainer, and if Ninjask and Shedinja had managed to hold back Slowking and Metagross while Heracross blocked Gengar, Armaldo could have defeated Aggron and Drapion first, tipping the scales in Kaya's favor.
But she overestimated her Pokémon knowledge, believing that only she understood these rare Pokémon and could take advantage of two young League members. However, Cain proved that he knew more about Shedinja than she did.
When it comes to Pokémon knowledge, Cain has no fear of competing.
(End of Chapter)