"I see... making Gengar the second core of the sandstorm, ensuring that it's stronger while also extending its duration, and using the moves Role Play and Skill Swap so the Pokémon can share and even stack their boosts... this Gengar is already showing signs of becoming the third core."
"Cain's current lineup hasn't yet reached the full potential of a dual-core system, but Gengar, through various methods, compensates for those shortcomings. You could even call it a pseudo triple-core formation, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration."
"What an incredible kid..." Joseph Stone, seated beside Juan, had already understood the arrangement of Cain's team and couldn't help but exclaim.
At first, he thought that Steven—with his single-core lineup of Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon, immune to the effects of the sandstorm—would still hold the advantage. But he hadn't expected Cain's talent to be this terrifying.
Joseph Stone showed no anger or displeasure; on the contrary, he looked pleased.
For Steven to have a friend like that was truly valuable.
The title of Elite Four wasn't something the Stone family cared about too much anyway. Even if they didn't get it this time, they would eventually.
While the spectators in the stands were still in awe, the direct clash between Cain and Steven had already begun.
The first to move was Blaziken.
After finishing Swords Dance, it pressed its legs hard into the ground, leaving two deep craters in the sand, and shot forward like a rocket.
At the very moment Blaziken lunged, the psychic threads floating through the sandstorm attached themselves to its body, further boosting its speed. Its fists clenched, bursting into golden flames.
Seeing Blaziken charge, Steven did not fall behind. Aerodactyl beat its wings forcefully, scattering the sand around it and clearing an open space. Its wings gleamed white as it dove straight toward Blaziken.
The wind roared, but the sandstorm did not hinder Aerodactyl in the slightest. In the blink of an eye, it appeared before Blaziken. Yet Blaziken didn't see it as a real opponent—it ignored Aerodactyl entirely and kept going.
Aerodactyl narrowed its eyes; being ignored was not something it could tolerate. Floating rocks materialized around it.
But just before impact, a solid sand shield instantly rose in front of Aerodactyl.
Its attack shattered the shield—but when Aerodactyl burst through, Blaziken was gone. In its place stood a massive, gleaming metallic fist: Aggron!
In an instant, Slowking had teleported Aggron to Blaziken's previous position.
Meanwhile, Blaziken's speed increased even further—it was already diving toward Steven's Aggron.
In midair, Metagross released a yellow halo of energy—Magnet Rise!
That was one of the main reasons Steven used it as a core, though not the only one.
Aggron and Steelix became enveloped in that magnetic field. Any Pokémon that touched them risked electric shock, giving them a defensive edge even against Water-types—a major threat to Rock and Ground Pokémon.
Blaziken ignored the electricity coursing over Aggron's body, clenching its fist tighter as golden fire concentrated along its knuckles.
BOOM!
The explosion was deafening.
Blaziken's Fire Punch didn't land cleanly—Aggron reacted just in time, crossing its arms to block.
Even so, it was pushed back three meters, leaving two deep trenches in the sand with its feet.
A scorched black mark was left across its arm.
And that wasn't all—several small cuts appeared as well. Steven's sharp eye caught it immediately: at the moment of impact, the surrounding sand had converged around Blaziken's fist, as if obeying a command, merging with the strike alongside Slowking's psychic energy.
That single punch from Blaziken had actually been a joint attack from three Pokémon.
Elsewhere, Aerodactyl had managed to pierce through the sand barrier set by Tyranitar and Slowking, but when it clashed with Cain's Aggron, its charge lost strength and was repelled by a single punch.
Though Aerodactyl quickly retreated and avoided serious injury, one fact became clear: every attack it made had to overcome the defense of three Pokémon simultaneously.
Whether in offense or defense, one always had to prepare for a triple-layered reaction.
"Is this... Cain's true Sandstorm Domain?" Steven muttered gravely. It was the first time he'd ever faced such a team—a dual-core formation in action. He couldn't immediately see how to break it.
That moment of hesitation was exactly what Cain had been waiting for.
Tyranitar and Slowking stepped forward in unison. From behind, Florges waved its arms, and thick vines burst from the ground, snaking toward Steven's Aggron.
Steven's expression hardened. From his rear line, Armaldo and Steelix launched a counterattack. Armaldo drew its razor-sharp blades, slicing through the vines with ease, empowered by its stacked Swords Dance boosts, while Steelix swung its massive body, launching an Iron Tail toward Blaziken.
Shhh!
Shhh!
Armaldo's strike was effective—the vines were severed before they could bind Aggron.
Steelix's tail traced a perfect arc toward Blaziken midair. Though its movement was slow, the attack speed was ferocious—a sharp whip-like crack splitting the air.
Cain raised an eyebrow.
"As expected—you know my Pokémon's combat habits all too well..."
A sand shield formed instantly in front of Blaziken, and in a pink flash, Slowking appeared beside it via Teleport.
Steven, having already seen that tactic, was ready for it.
At that exact moment, Claydol unleashed an immense psychic blast—it had been waiting all along for Slowking to appear.
From the start, its real target wasn't Blaziken, even though Blaziken posed a major threat to Steven's Steel-types. The true source of danger was Slowking, the one controlling the entire field. Even Tyranitar's sandstorm came second to it.
Taking advantage of Cain's offensive rhythm, Steven turned prediction into opportunity—transforming foresight into a perfect counterstrike.
A masterful move of anticipation!
(End of chapter)