From a young age, back when it was still a Larvitar, Tyranitar had already displayed exceptional talent in energy control.
It was precisely because of this that Cain believed it had the talent to master four different types of energy (Translator: The Avatar!). Otherwise, he would never have allowed it to also make use of Groudon's characteristics.
Very few Pokémon could reach Tyranitar's current level; it required not only opportunity, but also talent.
Therefore, even though Cain later captured many Pokémon with outstanding aptitudes, Tyranitar remained one of the Pokémon he trusted and relied on the most.
However, one thing needed to be made clear: the strongest Pokémon Cain had at that moment was not Tyranitar, Blaziken, or Salamence, nor was it Gengar, which had crossed the first barrier of the Champion level and could Mega Evolve, but Darkrai, who was gradually recovering his power.
Darkrai's recovery was like that of a tiger slowly awakening from its slumber.
With Phoebe's help, his improvement was clearly visible. Cain had even observed the energy within Darkrai with his psychic power: the chaotic Ghost-type energy of Giratina had become extremely orderly.
Although it was still not completely aligned, it was countless times better than it had been two months earlier.
The use of another recovery medicine was already on Cain's agenda. He did not know to what extent Darkrai would recover after another application, but he did know that at that moment Darkrai had become his most powerful trump card against the Sacred Church.
Especially when facing a group of psychic power users who tended to employ Psychic-type Pokémon.
Moreover, Cain was not afraid that Darkrai would try to escape his control as he recovered his strength. His relationship with Cain was excellent, and he had also formed strong bonds with the other Pokémon.
For example, Tyranitar, who was training energy control, received direct guidance from Darkrai. And Gengar, who spent long periods in Cain's shadow together with Darkrai, maintained a very close relationship with him.
Although Gengar carried a certain aura of Giratina, Darkrai did not hate him. After learning about the process through which Gengar had obtained that energy, he even felt a degree of sympathy for him. Although Gengar benefited from it, that was only possible because he was a Ghost-type Pokémon; any other type would not have managed it so easily.
Without a doubt, the closest relationship was with Mismagius. As the only Pokémon who remembered their fraternal bond, Darkrai had always taken care of her as if she were his own.
If one carefully evaluated Cain's current strength, one would discover that it was already truly terrifying. Especially now that Mega Evolution was common knowledge and Cain no longer needed to hide, his true power had been fully revealed.
Darkrai and Gengar had crossed the first barrier of the Champion level; moreover, Gengar had the boost of Mega Evolution, leaving him only slightly inferior to Darkrai.
There were also Tyranitar and Blaziken, who after Mega Evolving had narrowly reached the first barrier of the Champion level.
Their efforts had been rewarded, and those results became examples for the other Pokémon to follow.
These were the Pokémon that had reached the first barrier of the Champion level.
Most of the remainder were at the Champion level: the veteran Honchkrow, Slowking with steady progress despite not Mega Evolving, Drapion, Weavile, and Florges, who had reached the Champion level alongside Honchkrow.
In addition, there was Aggron, who had Mega Evolution but still could not cross the first barrier of the Champion level.
At the Quasi-Champion level were Swampert, Politoed, and Slaking; while Salamence and Gardevoir, who had received intensive training recently, were already at the Advanced Elite Four level.
Pokémon at the Advanced Elite Four level already had the right to be part of Cain's main lineups. Their rapid and focused training was aimed precisely at that goal.
There were also Magearna, who had reached the Intermediate Elite Four level thanks to the awakening of aura power, and Diancie, still at the Initial Elite Four level. The limits of these two were incalculable.
Nevertheless, their progress needed to be gradual, especially Magearna, whose power had increased sharply due to the awakening of aura.
In addition, Lucario and the Shiny Venusaur were already very close to the Intermediate Elite Four level.
On top of this were many Pokémon that did not directly belong to Cain, but whom he could command, among which there were even Pokémon that had crossed the first barrier of the Champion level.
The sum of all these forces was the true reason why Cain dared to challenge the Sacred Church.
Three months had already passed since their arrival on the continent. Although it had been a dangerous period, the increase in power under this pressure was clearly visible.
There were still two months left. No one knew what radical transformations their strength would undergo when they finally departed.
During those two days, Cain did not leave the valley, choosing instead to recuperate, because what he would face next were the brutal members of the Sacred Church: true life-and-death battles.
Although Cain was already accustomed to this kind of life and did not reject real combat, as a pessimist, he needed to prepare for every possible contingency and assume the worst-case scenario.
If his plan succeeded, the Sacred Church could fall into constant internal chaos, giving them some breathing room. But there was also a high possibility that his stratagem would be discovered, which would make his situation even more difficult.
Cain did not tell his plan to anyone. Not allowing anyone to know was, in itself, a form of protection.
...
Two days later, when night fell, Cain once again left the Aura Valley. In front of the tent, he left a letter, informing everyone that he needed to take care of some matters and would be away for a while; that they should not look for him or worry, and that he would return once everything was resolved.
(End of chapter)