🎆 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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The battle between Lance and Steven wasn't really to decide who was stronger. Its purpose was to serve as tactical practice for Lance before the Tournament.
And at the same time, for Steven to measure how far he still was from reaching the minimum level of an Elite Four.
The fight between the two lasted a full thirty minutes, and ended with Metagross being knocked out.
However, the injuries weren't too serious, and since they were at League headquarters, there was no reason to worry.
Cain quickly treated Metagross and restored it almost completely.
Afterwards, it was Phoebe's turn.
Compared to Steven, Phoebe was still somewhat weaker.
In any case, Lance didn't fight with all his strength either, limiting himself to exchanging blows and polishing strategies.
That battle ended in about twenty minutes.
Then it was Wallace's turn.
Cain was reserved for the finale.
Wallace directly sent out his signature Pokémon, Milotic.
Lance, in response, released his Gyarados.
The clash between two Water-type Pokémon brought Cain a memory of Trial Island, where he had also seen a battle between Gyarados and Milotic.
Of course, back then those Pokémon hadn't had anywhere near the power that Lance's and Wallace's were showing now.
The development wasn't too different from the previous duels, except that Wallace managed to hold on a little longer.
Twenty-five minutes later, that battle also came to an end.
Lance had already accumulated three consecutive victories.
Although Cain and the others didn't care too much, Ash kept cheering from the back.
Of course, for him, this was nothing more than watching a show as a spectator.
Delia and Professor Oak, on the other hand, watched with genuine interest.
From the perspective of raw strength, it was undeniable that Lance was above all of them.
But it also had to be considered that Lance was several years older than them. Even so, the enormous talent of Steven, Phoebe, and Wallace was evident.
Professor Oak couldn't help but sigh at Juan's good fortune.
At last it was Cain's turn.
He didn't refuse, taking off his jacket and placing it on the chair.
"Go for it, Brother Cain!" Ash and Gary cheered in unison.
Cain smiled and nodded.
He stood before Lance and said: "Well then?"
Hearing that, Lance showed a more serious expression and nodded. "Very strong."
Obviously, he was referring to Steven, Phoebe, and Wallace.
Against them, he had used Charizard, Aerodactyl, and Gyarados respectively.
According to what Cain knew, Lance still had his signature Pokémon, Dragonite.
The other two Pokémon, however, had never been seen.
"Let's go all out," said Lance, throwing a Poké Ball.
Cain had already decided beforehand which Pokémon he would use.
He also threw his Poké Ball.
"Kinnggddd!"
A pure blue Pokémon appeared on the field.
Kingdra!
While Cain sent out Florges.
Against a Dragon-type Pokémon, Florges had a natural advantage.
Even if Lance had sent out Dragonite, Cain believed Florges could hold its ground for quite a while.
Winning, however, with such a difference in levels, was practically impossible.
But against Kingdra, the chances were different.
"A Pokémon from the Drako family?" Cain thought when he saw it.
Lance's cousin, Clair, had Kingdra as her signature Pokémon. Cain had even fought against her in the Sinnoh Tournament.
Most likely, Lance's Kingdra was a recent addition.
Perhaps the Drako family itself had given it to him.
Surely he received it right at the point of evolution from Horsea to Seadra, and with a little training, Lance brought it to this state.
And in a clan like that, Dragon Scales abounded; it was just a matter of training it enough to evolve into Kingdra.
An immediate reinforcement for Lance, which wouldn't take long to consolidate.
And what's more, without side effects: afterwards it could continue developing normally.
That was exactly the method great clans used to strengthen their direct heirs.
After scanning Kingdra's data, Cain fully confirmed his suspicion.
Pokémon: Kingdra (Light Purple)
Gender: Male
Level: 73
Types: Water + Dragon
Ability: Sniper
Held Item: Dragon Scale
Egg Moves: Aurora Beam, Dragon Rage, Dragon Breath, Muddy Water
Basic Moves: Hydro Pump, Yawn, Bubble, Smokescreen, Leer, Water Gun, Twister, Bubble Beam, Focus Energy, Brine, Agility, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Dance
Learned Moves: Draco Meteor, Laser Focus, Bounce, Iron Head, Outrage, Icy Wind, Water Pulse, Snore
TM Moves: Protect, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Hyper Beam, Rain Dance, Double Team, Scald, Sleep Talk, Waterfall
The truth was... he couldn't help but feel envious.
Yes, envious.
After evolving into Seadra, they still had Dragon Scales to spare to give it.
The only such resource Cain had was in the Kommo-o resting on the island.
But trying to pluck another scale from it would be suicide.
With the Sniper ability, that Light Purple color quality, and the move list, there was no doubt it was a Kingdra raised in a true Dragon's Nest.
And having a Dragon's Nest let you do whatever you wanted?
The Drako family would make sure to prove that yes.
Although, since it was a recent acquisition for Lance, he hadn't yet had the time to surpass Intermediate Elite Four level.
Reaching its current level had already required the family to invest countless resources.
It was clear that Lance enjoyed great favoritism within his clan.
"This Kingdra is...?" Cain asked, without finishing the sentence, but with a meaningful look.
Lance nodded naturally. "That's right. And in part, thanks to your advice last time."
"Bah, nothing, just invite us to eat later," said Cain, waving his hand.
Lance smiled and replied: "That's done."
From the side, Steven and the others watched the exchange of looks.
"Something fishy going on..." murmured Phoebe.
Steven and Wallace immediately nodded, as if trying to uncover the hidden secret.
"Let's see how much the Fairy-type can do against the Dragon-type," said Lance.
Cain only smiled silently.
Florges wasn't a pure Fairy.
If Dragonite had entered the field, she wouldn't have stood a chance.
But since it was Kingdra, Water and Dragon, it was completely different.
Also, it hadn't reached Intermediate Elite Four level like the previous Pokémon. It was still at Initial Elite Four level.
Even though it was a bit higher-leveled than Florges, the type advantage mattered much more than that difference.
The only concerning thing was Kingdra's Sniper ability.
At that moment, Cain's Florges was by no means weak.
Pokémon: Florges (Dark Blue)
Gender: Female
Level: 70
Type: Fairy
Ability: Flower Veil
Held Item: Miracle Seed
Egg Moves: Copycat, Captivate, Camouflage, Tearful Look
Basic Moves: Tackle, Vine Whip, Fairy Wind, Lucky Chant, Razor Leaf, Wish, Magical Leaf, Grassy Terrain, Petal Blizzard, Aromatherapy, Disarming Voice, Flower Shield, Misty Terrain, Moonblast, Petal Dance
Learned Moves: Worry Seed, Synthesis, Heal Bell, After You, Seed Bomb, Giga Drain
TM Moves: Protect, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Safeguard, Psychic
"Florges, Misty Terrain!"
(End of Chapter)