If it had been the old Dragon-type team, even a Dragon-type lineup without a clear core would have been an extremely difficult fight for any trainer to face head-on.
After all, the powerful image of Dragon-type Pokémon is deeply ingrained in the minds of all trainers.
It was not until the appearance of the Fairy type that this perception eased somewhat, but the strength of Dragon-type Pokémon has always been unquestionable.
Even when a trainer introduces themselves by saying they are a Dragon-type trainer, the first impression they usually give others is... wow! Dragon-type!
Immediately after that, there is only one word capable of describing both Dragon-type Pokémon and their trainers: powerful.
Otherwise, why would Lance have chosen the Dragon type as his main specialty?
Although the Fairy type did cause a huge impact on Dragon-type Pokémon when it first appeared, over time people discovered that even with the existence of the Fairy type, the strength of Dragon-type Pokémon had only been limited to a certain extent, but not enough to knock them off their pedestal.
Moreover, the Fairy type had not yet fully become widespread, and most people still had a rather superficial understanding of this attribute.
Unfortunately, Cain was not like those people. His understanding of the Fairy type—if it were said to be the second best in the current Pokémon world—then no one would dare call themselves first.
That was why, after seeing the opponent's Pokémon, Cain decisively took out two more Poké Balls and summoned a level 79 Florges and a level 70 Diancie.
Having a slight numerical advantage in Pokémon was no problem at all in Cain's eyes.
Six Pokémon was a rule designed for trainers without sufficient strength, but for a trainer with ability and power like him, using more Pokémon in a fight to the death posed no issue whatsoever.
"It seems you don't really understand what kind of restriction the Fairy type places on Dragon-type Pokémon. Is it because you trust your Pokémon too much, or because you don't understand Fairy-type Pokémon very well?" Cain said as he slowly rolled up his sleeves. Today he planned to head back, so he had deliberately put on a brand-new Elite Four uniform, and he couldn't afford to get it dirty.
After all, this was the last set of new clothes he had left. Juan had said that they couldn't make Hoenn look bad, so both outward appearance and inner strength had to be up to standard.
Either don't go at all... or, if he went, be the most eye-catching person in the entire ceremony!
"Fairy type? Oh... I almost forgot. The person standing in front of me isn't just the League's Sandstorm Elite Four, but also the Father of the Fairy type! The man who discovered this attribute for the entire Pokémon world!" Alexandra put on a fake expression of "how surprising, how unexpected."
She then continued, "I've seen many people—so many people—who, after the appearance of the Fairy type, went around proclaiming everywhere that Dragon-type Pokémon would fall into decline and that Dragon-type trainers would no longer be so invincible."
"Cain, your master is a Dragon-type Elite Four. Have you ever seen him lose to a Fairy-type specialist? Or seen him fear any Fairy-type Pokémon?"
"No! And why is that?"
"Because... the strong strengthen themselves!"
Upon hearing those words, Cain was slightly taken aback, then smiled and nodded in agreement.
"That's right, the strong must strengthen themselves!"
While the two were talking, their Pokémon had already completed all their pre-battle preparations.
With Gengar's assistance, Tyranitar had already created a double sandstorm. At that moment, the entire forest in the area was engulfed in a tide of yellow sand; if a bit more time passed, the interior of Mt. Silver would turn into a desert region.
Alexandra's Pokémon, taking advantage of their flying capability, had also deployed their formation in the air.
In fact, it couldn't be said that Alexandra's Pokémon lacked a core. Latios and Latias were clearly the center of her lineup, similar to the role Slowking played in Cain's team.
However, this sandstorm created by Tyranitar was very different from those used before, because the opponent was also different.
This time, within Tyranitar's sandstorm, in addition to integrating Slowking's psychic power network, a second element was added.
Florges's move Misty Terrain!
The purple mist and the yellow sandstorm completely merged together. This was a cooperative method that Cain had already made Tyranitar and Florges practice together during their joint training. As for whom it was aimed at... ahem.
That was why Cain named this combat mode: the Sandstorm Domain Dragon-Slaying Assassin Formation!
In this type of combat, where the sandstorm and Misty Terrain were fully fused, Dragon-type Pokémon not only suffered interference and continuous damage from the sand, but also had to endure the suppression and obstructions that Misty Terrain specifically imposed on them.
The so-called sandstorm domain meant that wherever there was sand, there was the domain.
Although this domain was not as destructive as the Scarlet Sand Hell, its containment ability was extremely strong, and its restraining effect against Dragon-type Pokémon was more than sufficient.
When Alexandra sensed the current condition of her Pokémon, she couldn't help but place even greater importance on Cain.
Cain, carrying Diancie with him, jumped onto Salamence's back. Their strength was somewhat inferior to that of the opponent, so their main role was to protect Cain's personal safety; the battle itself would be left to the most suitable Pokémon.
Gengar's eyes flashed with red light as its body slowly merged into the shadows. Blaziken stepped forward with a special rhythm and charged straight at the enemy. The first strike of the frontal clash would be initiated by Blaziken!
With a leap, its ascent speed was extremely fast. At the height where the opponents were, a single jump was enough for Blaziken to reach them.
Clenching its fist as if flames were held in its palm, it charged head-on toward Hydreigon.
Alexandra smiled.
"Sending Blaziken to charge alone—aren't you just pushing it straight into danger?"
As she spoke, all six of Hydreigon's eyes emitted a red glow at the same time. Three dark spheres instantly condensed in its mouths. Not only that, the other Pokémon also locked onto Blaziken as their target, calculating its speed and trajectory. At that height, not being able to fly meant not being able to change speed or direction.
"Who said Blaziken was charging alone?"
As soon as Cain's words fell, a Gengar suddenly emerged from behind Blaziken. Using Blaziken as a springboard, it shot toward Latios and Latias.
"I had already anticipated that!" Alexandra said. Almost simultaneously, Latios and Latias transformed their psychic power into blades and hurled them at Gengar. With the Psychic-type advantage, those two attacks could be enough to knock it out of combat.
"Don't rush," Cain said.
Slowking instantly moved to Aggron's side and, with another flash, disappeared.
Aggron appeared above Latios, while Slowking's psychic power interposed itself in front of Gengar.
"I wasn't rushing either... because I had anticipated it too!"
As they spoke, it was as if two children were competing to see who was smarter.
(End of chapter)