Being able to grow in a place where Ghost-type energy is so dense proved that these plants either fed on Ghost-type energy, or were able to resist its corrosion.
If they fed on Ghost-type energy, there wouldn't be so few of them, almost unnoticed, and moreover, no fluctuation of that type of energy could be sensed from them.
Then only the second possibility remained: these plants resisted the erosion of Ghost-type energy. And since in this place, aside from Ghost-type energy, there was almost no other kind of energy, their growth was extremely slow, so much so that they barely changed even over the course of an entire year.
Because of this, these small plants were one of the best materials for combating the corrosion of Ghost-type energy.
Cain carefully collected them, storing them in his storage space. Their method of use would require research to determine the most efficient way to take advantage of them.
When the Pokémon finished collecting, Cain had Gengar seal the entire cave once more, trying to leave everything exactly as it had been so that no one would discover the place.
After accumulating energy for some time, Cain could return with his Pokémon to visit it again.
Not to mention anything else, just the abundant Ghost-type energy of the spring alone was the best energy source for Gengar and Mismagius.
As for what lay beneath the spring, Cain was unable to investigate it.
According to Darkrai, not even he could delve too deeply; beyond that point, the pressure was excessive.
Mega Gengar might be able to, or it might not. In the end, Cain decided not to take the risk. It wasn't indispensable. If one day he had enough power, he would come back; if not, he would simply forget about it.
When Cain left the Gastly cave, no one knew he had been there.
He did not immediately return to the Team Rocket base. Thanks to Slowking's Teleport move, he continued advancing deeper into Trial Island.
During the final trial, Slowking had left psychic coordinates in many places throughout the interior, so traveling was not difficult.
Moreover, Cain felt a great curiosity about the absolute center of the island.
During the previous final trial, he had neither the time nor the strength to investigate the deepest area, but now there was no problem.
Cain threw several Poké Balls and summoned Lucario and Venusaur. Over half a year, both had evolved and reached the Quasi-Elite level. Their current strength was quite good.
And with the guidance of their predecessors, their actual combat ability was also very solid.
Pokémon: Lucario (Dark Purple)
Gender: Male
Level: 58
Types: Fighting + Steel
Ability: Inner Focus
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Cross Chop, High Jump Kick, Blaze Kick, Meteor Mash
Basic Moves: Aura Sphere, Laser Focus, Foresight, Quick Attack, Endure, Detect, Metal Claw, Counter, Feint, Power-Up Punch, Swords Dance, Metal Sound, Bone Rush, Quick Guard, Me First, Work Up, Calm Mind, Heal Pulse
Learned Moves: Thunder Punch, Magnet Rise, Ice Punch, Water Pulse, Iron Tail, Role Play, Low Kick, Dragon Pulse
TM Moves: Protect, Earthquake, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Brick Break
A level 54 Fighting- and Steel-type Lucario was ideal for close combat. Its physical and special attack were excellent, and as a Steel-type Pokémon, its defense was also outstanding, in addition to possessing good speed.
As a combat instructor, Blaziken had taught it many techniques, including several that could not be reflected in data alone: combat tricks and advanced methods.
Especially the move Swords Dance, which it learned directly from Blaziken's "true style."
Moreover, Lucario are a very special species: once they reach adulthood and if their talent is not low, they can master Aura, one of the three great special abilities of the Pokémon world.
Cain had high expectations for Lucario.
Pokémon: Shiny Venusaur (Dark Purple)
Gender: Female
Level: 53
Types: Grass + Poison
Ability: Chlorophyll
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Charm, Petal Dance, Power Whip, Grassy Terrain
Basic Moves: Tackle, Growl, Vine Whip, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Take Down, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, Sweet Scent, Growth, Double-Edge, Petal Blizzard, Solar Beam
Learned Moves: Worry Seed, Snore, Synthesis, Seed Bomb, Bind, Giga Drain, Stomping Tantrum, Block, Grass Pledge
TM Moves:Protect, Toxic, Venoshock, Earthquake, Sludge Bomb, Energy Ball, Substitute, Grass Knot
Moves like Grass Knot, Energy Ball, and Grassy Terrain were learned from Florges.
As a Grass- and Poison-type Pokémon, in single combat its Poison-type moves were usually more useful.
But in group battles, its Grass-type moves provided a lot of support to its companions.
The coordination between Venusaur and Lucario was excellent. Cain did not need to worry too much.
Along the way, they also did not encounter any opponent capable of withstanding even a single attack from them.
...
"Shaah!"
They sensed a huge creature approaching. Lucario and Venusaur became alert, but Cain raised his hand to calm them. A smile appeared on his face.
Something large and hard dragging against the ground emerged from the undergrowth: a massive Arbok appeared before him.
Upon seeing the Arbok, as large as an Onix, Cain's smile widened.
Arbok saw Cain, and the ferocity completely disappeared from its face. It lowered itself and gently rested its head before him.
Cain extended his hand and stroked its smooth scales.
"I'm sorry... I took a long time to come see you."
"Shaah!"
Arbok shook its head and called toward the jungle.
An Ekans slowly slithered out and positioned itself beside it, looking at Cain with curiosity.
Seeing this, Cain's eyes lit up.
"It seems you already have your own peaceful life. In that case..."
He took out an empty Poké Ball and, in front of Arbok, crushed it with his psychic power.
"You're free, Arbok. This is your home... your kingdom."
(End of chapter)