Cain hesitated for a moment, unsure whether he should first go stop them from searching for those objects, or rush to aid the quasi-Elite-level trainers to free them from their troubles.
But soon, he made his decision.
He would let them continue searching for the Blue Orb and the Red Orb!
If those two didn't appear, how could Shelly possibly believe that the dream she saw was truly a prophecy?
"Tyranitar, Sandstorm!" Cain ordered quietly.
"TYRAAANN!!"
Upon hearing him, Tyranitar immediately understood.
It absorbed large amounts of sand from the ground, which transformed into serpents of sand climbing up its body.
Three quasi-Elite-level League trainers were struggling to resist against a Team Magma or Aqua officer who had just barely reached the Elite level. For them, the pressure was immense.
It was precisely thanks to this advantage that the Elite-level trainers had that Archie could drag out his battle against Drake, and Maxie was in no hurry.
Although they hadn't completely halted the League's advance, control of the battlefield was still in their hands. Releasing just a few more Elite-level trainers could gradually tip the balance toward victory.
There was no denying it: the timing of their assault had been perfect. Even if they hadn't coordinated with the Hunter Guild, the simultaneous action from both sides had caught the League completely off guard.
Otherwise—and setting aside all other factors—in terms of elite strength alone, the League far surpassed both Team Magma and Team Aqua.
Being able to fight back simultaneously against all three major forces — Team Magma, Team Aqua, and the Hunter Guild — as well as dozens of smaller factions across various cities, showed the League's true background and strength.
Just as a Team Aqua officer had managed to wear down several Pokémon of his three opponents and was preparing a new fierce attack, he suddenly felt a sting on his cheek, as if something had quickly slashed across it.
He raised his hand to his face.
When he looked at his palm, he saw tiny grains.
"Sand?" he muttered. Just as he began to wonder where it had come from, realization struck him and his face paled. He looked up and saw a huge whirlwind of sand rushing toward him.
Sandstorm!
The three quasi-Elite League trainers who were battling that officer saw it too.
But the sand, as if possessing a will of its own, moved aside around them, leaving them in a sort of empty zone.
The three of them showed expressions of pure joy.
"It's Mr. Cain! It's Mr. Cain's Sandstorm!" one of them shouted.
The other two reacted instantly: "Cain of the Sandstorm! Mr. Cain has returned after defeating the Team Aqua Executive!"
"Mr. Cain defeated one of Team Aqua's top-ranking members! We've already won this war!"
They obviously knew that Cain had opened up a new front in his battle against Shelly.
And they didn't find it strange at all.
Just by observing the situation in the cavern — Drake versus Archie, Norman versus Maxie, Glacia and Steven in their respective battles — each duel occupied its own space. None of them interfered with the main battlefield, nor did the main field approach them. They were in a completely different league.
Soldiers fought soldiers, generals fought generals. The victory of any one of these duels could decide the course of the entire battle.
What no one had expected was that this "general" named Cain would finish his fight so quickly.
As the three League trainers were filled with renewed morale, the Team Aqua officer was terrified.
Throughout all these confrontations, most of the big names like Drake, Norman, or Glacia rarely intervened directly. Their counterparts, Archie and Maxie, didn't either. It was an unspoken understanding.
So who had been the most active?
Cain himself.
Both Team Magma and Team Aqua knew very well: even a veteran Elite-level trainer held no advantage against him.
And what could a newly promoted Elite officer — raised more by the Team Aqua's resources than by true merit — possibly do?
They had known for a week already, thanks to the two Elite officers who had been captured:
They stood no chance against him!
Even so, that officer couldn't just stand there frozen.
He sent his Pokémon charging into the sandstorm.
The name Cain of the Sandstorm was already known throughout Meteor Falls. Many had devised ways to counter Tyranitar's weather control.
But the conclusion was always the same: only another weather could fight weather. Unless a much stronger Pokémon than Tyranitar used an ability to summon a different weather condition, in this underground area, Tyranitar's sandstorm was endless.
An ability far surpassed any regular weather-inducing move.
Moreover, Tyranitar was equipped with a Smooth Rock, further boosting the intensity and duration of the storm.
Within it, the Team Aqua officer and his Pokémon could barely hold on.
They were mercilessly overwhelmed. When they finally emerged from the swirling sand, both the officer and his Pokémon lay unconscious on the ground.
Cain and Tyranitar stood at the storm's center. After taking down one target, they immediately searched for the next Elite-level enemy.
The three trainers freed by him, however, did not immediately rush into another fight.
That was because Cain had told them:
"Florges will heal you. Gather all the injured — trainers and Pokémon alike — around her. Don't waste your lives needlessly. Preserve your strength; League Elites aren't so easily replaced."
His voice, coming from within the storm, reached them clearly.
"Yes, sir!" they replied with respect and excitement.
The storm parted, revealing the elegant Florges, who spread the effects of Grassy Terrain beneath her feet. She then focused on controlling the field to heal the three trainers and their Pokémon.
With her departure, Cain's team lost part of its support capability.
But with a thought, Cain grabbed two Poké Balls and threw them.
Diancie!
And Magearna!
In his mind, they were ideal members of a sandstorm team.
Diancie could provide both offense and defense. Magearna, on the other hand, disliked fighting and wasn't used to battle, so Cain wouldn't force her. For now, she would take on the supportive role that Florges had left.
In fact, Magearna fit even better than Florges in a team centered around Tyranitar.
In terms of stats and move set, Magearna surpassed Diancie in battle. But her mentality wasn't ready yet — she couldn't be pushed too hard too soon.
So, for now, she would only use the life energy in her Soul-Heart to help heal Pokémon.
"Diancie, Gravity! Focus on the Pokémon that enter the storm — slow them down."
"Magearna, use Iron Defense, then channel the power of your Soul-Heart to heal!"
The Soul-Heart had a tremendous advantage: when healing, it could effectively treat both internal and external injuries.
The two nodded obediently.
After spending time at Cain's side, they already trusted him completely.
Especially Diancie.
(End of Chapter)