🎆 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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Cain was the first to give the order.
After receiving the instruction, Florges began to release a fine pink mist.
Within it was mixed a notable amount of Fairy-type energy.
The move Misty Terrain quickly spread across the entire battlefield.
In this scenario, Dragon-type Pokémon would be severely restricted: the power of all their Dragon-type moves was reduced by fifty percent.
"So this is the field move that punishes Dragon-type Pokémon the most... its effect is truly terrifying." Lance watched the full expansion of Misty Terrain and couldn't help but feel some admiration.
Although he hadn't been with his Kingdra for long, the bond between them was already quite solid.
He could clearly sense the discomfort running through his Pokémon.
"Kingdra, use Agility!"
Despite recognizing the brutal Fairy-type advantage, Lance did not show any nervousness. He gave the order for Kingdra to start the offensive.
Cain's lips curved into a faint smile.
He stayed silent and began to direct the battle through telepathy. In this way, the synchronization between trainer and Pokémon became much tighter and the orders reached the Pokémon's mind instantly.
For Florges, this form of combat with Cain wasn't new either.
When Lance saw Cain using telepathy, his expression grew more serious.
He knew his rival was fighting at full strength. If he didn't manage to make the most out of Kingdra's advantages, the battle would become very difficult.
Kingdra began moving quickly across the field, searching for a weak spot in Florges.
It was the first time he had fought against a Pokémon of that type, and it wasn't easy to make his Sniper ability shine.
At that moment, Florges waved her arms and surrounded her body with a faint mystical energy.
"Lucky Chant..." Lance, upon perceiving the change, guessed the move Cain had ordered.
He felt a slight headache.
The move Lucky Chant is a support-type move with a simple effect: it drastically reduces the chance of receiving critical hits.
So much so, that the probability becomes almost nonexistent.
In other words, Kingdra's Sniper ability was completely nullified.
This was precisely the reason why Cain considered it possible to face that Pokémon: it was too restricted.
"If that's the case... then there's no choice but to attack head-on!"
"Kingdra, Hydro Pump!"
After the order, Kingdra stopped searching. He couldn't find any clear weaknesses in Florges; any fleeting sign disappeared instantly.
But his talent with both Water-type energy and Dragon-type energy was outstanding.
The move Hydro Pump quickly formed, and a massive torrent shot from his mouth straight at Florges.
"Moonblast! Then switch with Camouflage to Grass-type." Cain had already prepared the strategy upon seeing Kingdra charging his attack.
A moonbeam pierced clouds and daytime sky, responding to Florges' call. The light fell upon Kingdra.
The Pokémon's once-shining scales darkened little by little as if being corroded.
But the Hydro Pump was already launched.
"You want to trade blow for blow?" Lance understood instantly.
Even so, Kingdra showed no fear.
"Hold it and use Waterfall!" ordered Lance right after the Water-type move was released.
The next instant, he witnessed something unexpected.
A green glow covered Florges' white flowers. Her attribute transformed into Grass-type.
It forced resistance against Water-type moves. Though she took damage, it wasn't serious.
"Grassy Terrain!" Cain didn't immediately try to defend against the next move but instead set a field of grass.
After becoming Grass-type, Florges spread the green terrain beneath her feet.
At once, small green sparkles entered her body, healing her wounds.
Kingdra didn't hesitate upon seeing his opponent with no defensive stance.
He roared loudly and pulled in all the residual water from Hydro Pump. A white watery layer surrounded him as he charged at Florges.
A great liquid pillar rose up at the impact.
"Florges, use Captivate!" Cain's voice sounded calm, even amused.
The move Captivate was especially effective against Pokémon of the opposite sex, lowering their Special Attack.
And most of Kingdra's moves depended precisely on that stat.
Although the move Waterfall was a Physical-type move.
Florges took the hit head-on. Her vitality dropped below half.
It had to be admitted: Lance's Kingdra was well-trained.
His physical strength and control over Water-type energy were formidable.
But Misty Terrain had restricted his Dragon-type moves, and Florges, as a Grass-Fairy-type Pokémon, countered him too much.
Otherwise, no Pokémon could have taken two direct attacks from Kingdra without being knocked out.
"It's coming," said Steven, sitting at the edge of the field, in a calm tone.
Beside him, Wallace and Phoebe nodded in full understanding, casting a look of pity at Lance.
"What's coming?" Ash immediately asked, standing behind them.
Those who understood the situation well already knew what was happening, but to Ash, Gary, and Delia, everything was confusing.
Steven and Wallace looked at Phoebe, giving her the word.
They would never voice something so embarrassing.
Phoebe, on the other hand, said it cheerfully, without the slightest shame: "It's Cain's favorite tactic!"
"The supreme and invincible tactic of 'If you can't beat me, I'll wear you down until you're defeated!'"
Upon hearing that name, Steven and Wallace turned their heads at the same time, denying any association with such a title.
"The supreme... invincible tactic... of 'If you can't...'? How was the last part?" Ash's eyes sparkled with excitement, as if discovering a new world.
Professor Oak, sitting nearby, couldn't take it and shifted slightly to the side.
Cain was excellent in almost everything, except at naming things...
Better to leave it at that.
"The supreme and invincible tactic of 'If you can't beat me, I'll wear you down until you're defeated!'" Phoebe repeated with enthusiasm.
On the field, Lance also happened to hear that title.
And suddenly he felt a deep weariness in his heart.
(End of chapter)