In general terms, Cain had the advantage in the number of Pokémon.
But if we looked at quality, the difference was quite significant.
The last two Pokémon he had just defeated were below level 65, while now the enemy had no Pokémon under that level.
"I think in the end, we're the ones with the upper hand," said Brannis, with a much calmer expression on his face.
Moltres had fallen, and now the enemy was at a disadvantage, just as he had predicted.
Although there had been some unforeseen events and some unwanted losses, the final result was exactly what Brannis had envisioned.
This young man in front of him could not be allowed to live. If he was allowed to grow, there was no telling how far he could go. Perhaps, the future downfall of the Nishikawa family would come at the hands of this very youth.
His son, Regi, likely no longer had much of a chance to survive.
Thinking about this, the small glimmer of pride on Brannis' face began to fade.
On the other hand, Cain did not show the panic that Brannis had expected to see.
Instead, he looked at his communicator and smiled slightly.
"If it weren't for the Pokémon your family always carries — which is actually an old man's Pokémon — right now you'd be on your knees begging for your life," said Cain, with a smile on his face.
Seeing Cain's smile, Brannis frowned.
What could be keeping Cain so calm? Was he waiting for Umbra or Tenebris?
Thinking this, Brannis tensed slightly.
The sound of the distant battle seemed to have faded, making him wonder if Cain had allied with those two — which would definitely be a problem.
However, those two had just fought against Articuno and Zapdos, so they shouldn't have much strength left.
Brannis knew a bit about their abilities. They weren't stronger than his brother Rox. At most, they could reach the level of Advanced Elite trainers, but they couldn't match his Ampharos.
Besides, if they really had more power hidden away, they would have already defeated Zapdos and Articuno. Moltres was the strongest of the three.
"No, no, no, don't think that way. Tenebris and Umbra won't be coming," said Cain, as if he had guessed Brannis' thoughts.
"Oh? And who gives you that kind of confidence? You not only dared to save Moltres from my hands, but you also had the nerve to reveal your identity in front of me. Do you really think that even if you survive, you'll still have a place in Team Rocket?" Brannis raised an eyebrow.
"So, when I revealed my true appearance, it meant both of you had to stay here. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to complete the mission," Cain shrugged, with the look of someone who had no other choice.
"Mission? Were you sent by Giovanni? Do you have a trump card from Giovanni?" Brannis' face began to show discomfort.
Even though he didn't want to admit it, he had to recognize that Giovanni's skill was far above his own.
His family had planned to take over Team Rocket, but they only intended to do so after Giovanni was dead, defeated, or missing.
If Giovanni disappeared, then they would strike. But even if they had a hundred lives, the only thing they could do was dream about that future.
Cain smiled, "Seems like you're afraid of the boss, huh? I don't know who in your family came up with that stupid idea, but do you really think you can touch the boss?"
"Tsk tsk tsk"
He shook his head, making a disdainful sound.
"Bastard!" Brannis and Rox were furious, their faces alternating between green and pale.
As members of the family, even though they knew the plan was flawed, they had to follow it. Besides, they still believed there was room to maneuver. Up until now, they thought they had done a good job.
"You'd better give up," said Brannis, losing his patience. He no longer cared who had sent Cain or where he got the confidence to speak to him like that.
Defeat him!
Capture Moltres!
The goals of his family had to stay on track.
Even though the death of his son Regi infuriated him, in the end, who didn't have one or two sons? You couldn't rely on a single heir. Regi was just a failure, and not worth mourning so much.
That was the mindset of those from powerful families.
Cain sneered, "If you really want to know my last resort, let me show you."
"Slowking," he called, looking at his Pokémon.
"Yadon—!"
Slowking nodded and disappeared using the move Teleport.
Just as Rox was about to throw another taunt, Brannis' Pokémon — especially Ampharos and Charizard — tensed their muscles.
You could even see their scales and fur standing on end.
Slowking reappeared beside Cain, but he was not alone. At his side was a shining Pokémon made of what looked like ice.
It was Regice!
Before leaving the floating fortress, Cain had sent Slowking to retrieve Regice.
He knew this mission would not be easy; his opponent was a trainer capable of facing legendary Pokémon, and that wasn't something Cain could handle alone.
Moreover, to complete the mission perfectly, he needed to be fully prepared.
Although the island where Regice resided was somewhat distant, for Slowking — who could use Teleport — it wasn't a problem.
Cain had left psychic coordinates on the islands in the sea.
After a short while, Slowking brought Regice and left him on a nearby island.
This was Cain's last resort, his final card.
A Regice at Elite Four level.
Although it was also a legendary Pokémon, its power far surpassed that of Moltres, who now lay on the ground.
When Regice appeared, the temperature on the mountain dropped drastically, to the point that the volcano seemed about to go dormant.
Cain walked over to Regice, gave its body a pat, feeling the cold it emitted.
"Now, I need your help again," he said.
The small pale-yellow orbs on Regice's head flashed a couple of times.
That was his response.
The second!
This was the second of the three favors Cain had asked of Regice. After completing all three, Regice would owe him nothing, but Cain would be obligated to help him find Mew.
An equivalent exchange.
Upon seeing Regice's appearance, both Brannis and Rox turned pale.
No one had anticipated that Cain's last resort would be Regice, and even less one that surpassed the Elite level.
Even though Cain hadn't seen Regice in a long time, its power was still impressive.
(End of chapter)