Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three days, Cain took Shelgon and Horsea to continuously provoke the Combee swarms and engage them in battle.
Although Shelgon had just evolved, thanks to Kommo-o's teachings, his understanding of combat and control over energy increased drastically all at once.
And once in battle, he no longer showed any fear.
Defense was now Shelgon's greatest strength.
For her part, Horsea also managed to evolve into Seadra after several battles.
During evolution, Horsea used the quality-enhancing potion Cain had prepared in advance.
Pokémon: Seadra (Blue)
Gender: Female
Level: 35
Type: Water
Ability: Poison Point
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Dragon Rage, Dragon Breath, Water Pulse, Clear Smog
Basic Moves: Bubble, Smog, Leer, Water Gun, Twister, Bubble Beam, Focus Energy, Brine, Hydro Pump
Learned Moves: Icy Wind, Bounce, Dragon Pulse, Snore
TM Moves: None
With her evolution, her quality rose to Blue.
Moreover, her level increased to level 35.
Such a rapid growth spurt was the result of a long period of accumulation and training.
However, after becoming a Seadra, her ability changed to Poison Point.
Only after finally evolving into Kingdra would she regain the Swift Swim ability.
Within Cain's team, she wasn't the strongest or the one with the greatest potential. But as mentioned before, a Pokémon's quality is an important prerequisite—though not necessarily the most crucial one.
Such is the case with this Seadra and with Swampert.
Both are destined to be part of the rain team.
Perhaps their combat abilities don't seem so outstanding on their own, but everything has been designed for Cain's rain team.
And what's more, it doesn't even need to be limited to just a single rain team. Their move sets and functions can't be fully appreciated within only one group.
As long as Gengar serves as the ability transformer, all the Pokémon on the team will be able to unleash immense power under the rain.
Seadra reached level 35, and Shelgon reached level 36.
Both managed to level up significantly and completed their evolution.
But after three days of battles, they could no longer fight.
The Combee swarms had already noticed the presence of Cain and his Pokémon. Every time they approached the Combee forest, it wasn't just a few enemies anymore, but full swarms.
And the levels of the opponents were no longer suitable for Shelgon or Seadra.
That's why this time, Cain brought Aggron and Swampert.
Aggron at level 56, and Swampert at level 57.
If these two Pokémon coordinated well, they could challenge the entire swarm.
Today, they came with that goal in mind.
Unlike before, when they infiltrated gradually to weaken the enemy's strength, this time they entered directly, without hesitation.
Cain was sitting in his sand chair, using his psychic powers to move around, so this time Slowking didn't accompany him.
The distance was so short that even Kirlia could arrive with a single use of Teleport.
Today it was Gengar's turn to guard the group.
Currently, the guard rotation consisted of Slowking, Gengar, and Florges—three Elite-level Pokémon that protected Cain in turns.
The rest of the team was training at the camp.
The routine was the same as the one Cain followed in Leafy Town, with the difference that the wild Pokémon here were much higher level—and Cain's body was still paralyzed.
After three days, his body still couldn't move freely.
Only his right arm, from the elbow down, could be moved freely, including muscles and joints.
Boom!
Boom!
Aggron and Swampert advanced on the front lines. Any Combee or Vespiquen that approached was taken down in a single hit.
In no time, they reached the deepest part of the Combee forest.
It was the first time in these three days they had reached that point.
In front of them, the ancient and massive trees held multiple hives, with Combee buzzing in and out in full activity.
At the center, the largest hive stood out above the others. It was also the one with the most Combee going in and out.
"That must be the hive where the Queen Vespiquen resides," thought Cain upon seeing it.
Noticing the presence of Cain and his Pokémon, all the Combee immediately dropped what they were doing and flew in their direction.
"Bzzzz—!"
A distinct buzz echoed from the largest hive.
The Queen Vespiquen flew out of her hive, closely followed by two Combee with threatening auras.
With the appearance of the queen, all the Combee stopped and greeted her with reverence.
Within the Combee swarm, the hierarchy is extremely strict. The Queen Vespiquen can decide the life or death of all the swarm members.
All other Vespiquen are born from her, and she has the ability to control the Combee she has raised.
That chain of control grants her full command over the entire swarm.
This Queen Vespiquen was the Pokémon Cain had been waiting for.
Pokémon: Vespiquen (Light Blue)
Gender: Female
Level: 61
Types: Bug + Flying
Ability: Pressure
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: None
Basic Moves: Slash, Fell Stinger, Destiny Bond, Sweet Scent, Gust, Poison Sting, Confuse Ray, Fury Cutter, Pursuit, Defend Order, Power Gem, Heal Order, Toxic, Air Slash, Captivate, Attack Order, Swagger
Learned Moves: Signal Beam, Laser Focus, Endeavor, Bug Bite, Snore, Tailwind
TM Moves: None
Without a doubt, an Elite-level Vespiquen.
Upon checking her data, Cain's eyes narrowed slightly.
It didn't matter much—first thing was to capture her. After all, her main role would be as a support Pokémon.
"Aggron! Swampert! Today, your opponent is in front of you." Cain addressed the two Pokémon in front.
Besides the queen, the two Combee accompanying her were also at Elite level.
But the problem with Combee lies in their innate disadvantage as a species.
Their base stats are their biggest weakness.
For a Combee to show true power, it needed direct support from a Vespiquen.
Aggron and Swampert looked at each other. They had no intention of holding back just because their opponent was female.
"Aggron, use Stone Edge!"
"Swampert, Aqua Tail!"
Cain didn't hesitate to order the battle to begin.
"Bzzzz—!"
The Queen Vespiquen shrieked, and the two Combee beside her drew even closer.
Immediately, from the hive beneath Vespiquen, numerous small Combee emerged and flew directly toward Aggron and Swampert.
Defend Order!
Vespiquen's signature move. Only she can use that move.
Leading that horde of small Combee, all charged fiercely, their stingers raised, ready to pierce the invaders.
(End of Chapter)