After finishing the battle against Vigoroth, Cain noticed that Tyranitar's level had increased by one, reaching level 59.
It was just one step away from the Elite level.
Since its evolution, Tyranitar had been leveling up at a blazing pace.
Cain also planned for it to break that barrier and reach the Elite level before returning.
After that, he continued exploring some directions he hadn't investigated yet.
The appearance of that Vigoroth had confirmed one thing for him: in the larger wild Pokémon groups in this area, there had to be some at Elite level.
Before nightfall, Cain returned with his Pokémon to the small pond where they had settled.
He had almost finished investigating the surroundings.
Aside from a few groups too weak to be worth his attention, there were three tribes that required a bit more attention from Cain.
Without exception, all of these tribes housed at least one Elite-level Pokémon.
The one located farthest north, near the volcano, was the Slaking tribe, which Cain found particularly interesting.
To the southwest, about fifteen kilometers from the pond, there was a group of Exeggutor.
The leader of that tribe had reached level 61, already a sort of sovereign in the surrounding forests.
The forest where the Exeggutor lived was infused with a very dense Grass-type energy.
In such an environment, it was possible for Leaf Stones to form, especially since the area was relatively safe to live in.
That's why the number of Exeggutor in that tribe was also quite considerable.
During that expedition, the one in charge of fighting was Blaziken. Facing Grass-type Pokémon, it demonstrated impressive combat power.
Furthermore, being level 55, Blaziken found no opponent capable of stopping it—except for the Exeggutor chief.
Even against that leader, Blaziken managed to hold his ground thanks to his speed, without needing to confront it directly.
He felt no fear in front of it.
With his current level and strength, if he could Mega Evolve, he'd be capable of facing it head-on.
But due to Cain's current physical limitations, he couldn't assist with Mega Evolution.
Therefore, Blaziken decided to leave that Exeggutor chief for another time, when he had enough strength to return and face it.
Just as Tyranitar had managed to defeat the Elite-level Vigoroth, Blaziken also wanted to defeat an Exeggutor of that level. He believed it would give him more confidence when the time came to break through his own limit.
After defeating so many Exeggutor, Blaziken also leveled up, reaching level 57.
The last tribe Cain considered relevant was southeast of the pond: a group of Combee.
Cain wasn't sure whether this group had an Elite-level leader.
Because, seeing that it was Combee territory, he didn't even bother to approach with his Pokémon.
There was no point.
The group was large.
Even though the Combee on the outskirts weren't very strong, if he ventured into their territory, the number of nuisances would be considerable.
Not approaching didn't mean he was afraid of them.
In fact, Cain had other plans and uses in mind for that group of Combee.
Once he had completed the full exploration of the area, Cain had a fairly solid understanding of the zone.
He had a clear picture in his mind.
Upon returning to the camp, he couldn't do anything but sit still in his sand chair. He was completely unable to move.
But with a clear grasp of the environment, he released all of his Pokémon.
Including Riolu, who had only recently hatched.
Upon coming out, Riolu tried to leap onto Cain, but thankfully he was stopped by Slowking.
Slowking took it upon himself to inform the other Pokémon of Cain's current condition, asking them to act carefully when interacting with him.
Upon learning the situation, each one showed different expressions.
But worry and affection prevailed.
Some even wanted to show anger, but since Cain's injury hadn't been caused by another Pokémon or a human, there was no one to direct their rage toward.
Finally, after Cain's reassuring words, they all accepted his current state.
Fortunately, after just one day, the muscles and organs in his head were almost fully recovered.
He could speak without any issues.
He could even chew soft foods and eat easily digestible things without difficulty.
During dinner, all the Pokémon behaved especially well.
Originally, Florges was the one responsible for feeding him, but this time it was Kirlia who took charge.
As she put it: "Daddy is hurt! His daughter should be the one to take care of him!"
And so, there she was, floating beside Cain, a bowl in her hands, using her psychic powers to control a spoon and feed him bite by bite.
Cain couldn't help but sigh with a smile: that extra daughter that had popped into his life seemed to have grown up.
Like a proud father, he felt satisfied.
Riolu, small and thin, curled up on the armrest of the sand chair, sticking out his little tongue to gently lick the back of Cain's hand.
As if that would help him recover faster.
Riolu had just been born and shouldn't be kept in the Pokéball for long.
Since the environment was under control, Cain decided to let him stay out, thinking his presence might bring some good luck.
Carbink, who had once been just a piece of mineral, had now completely transformed into a small pink Carbink. Although it had no actual gender, it now seemed like a little girl.
It remained silent, digesting the Rock-type energy it had absorbed from the Tyranitar territory.
Accelerating its mutation process.
Now, in some mysterious way, Carbink had a vague feeling that once the mutation was complete, something extraordinary would happen.
Bagon, after briefly comforting Cain, went off to train alone.
The fact that a Pokémon so obsessed with training took time to console him showed how much Cain meant to him.
But Cain noticed his impatience, so he let him go train on his own.
At the pond, Horsea, Politoed, and Swampert were now the uncontested rulers.
The wild Water-type Pokémon didn't even dare approach—they could only hide in the corners, completely intimidated by these three "thugs."
Honchkrow, Weavile, and Drapion, after confirming Cain's condition, headed into the forest to train.
Their training usually made quite a bit of noise, which could interfere with Cain's recovery.
Besides, they were the only ones from the first elite group who had not yet reached the Intermediate Elite level, and that weighed on them.
Being away also allowed them to face strong wild Pokémon, which was part of their training.
Cain trusted them completely.
Even if they ventured into the territories of the Three Great Tribes, they knew how to take care of themselves.
As long as that spark of motivation and desire to improve burned in them, Cain had no reason to hold them back.
(End of chapter)