Upon seeing that scene, Cain felt a slight stir within.
Perhaps, with Kommo-o's help, Shelgon could heal the deep wounds in his heart.
And, in turn, Shelgon could become a source of comfort for Kommo-o.
The most important thing was that Shelgon had the chance to learn many things from Kommo-o.
That was the key.
Why was Tyranitar so strong now?
The main reason, of course, was the enormous amount of resources Cain had invested in him from birth through evolution. All under constant guidance and meticulous nurturing.
But it was also true that, in that rocky space, the local Tyranitar —especially their leader— had taught him valuable experiences and combat styles unique to their species.
If Shelgon could now absorb part of Kommo-o's techniques, the benefit would be immense, even if not immediately visible.
After all, the opportunity seemed to be right in front of them.
Cain watched Shelgon and Kommo-o while scanning the former's data with the system.
Pokémon: Shelgon (Purple)
Gender: Male
Level: 32
Type: Dragon
Ability: Rock Head
Held Item: Dragon Scale
Egg Moves: Hydro Pump, Dragon Dance, Fire Fang, Dragon Rush
Basic Moves: Rage, Ember, Leer, Bite, Dragon Breath, Headbutt, Focus Energy, Crunch, Dragon Claw, Protect
Learned Moves: Dragon Pulse, Snore, Outrage
TM Moves: None
Bagon had successfully evolved into Shelgon. With the help of Cain's quality-enhancement potion and Kommo-o's most recent and powerful reverse scale, his quality had risen directly to Purple.
That surprised Cain a bit.
But considering it was the most valuable scale from a Champion-level Kommo-o, it made sense that it would produce such an outstanding effect.
Who in the Pokémon world could even obtain something like that?
If it were taken to an auction, it would probably be worth ten times more than the Dragon Scale Shelgon was currently holding. Or even more. And thanks to that reverse scale, Shelgon had learned the move Outrage.
Drake was the best at handling that move among dragon-type trainers. Cain had learned training methods for it from him, though until now, he hadn't had the chance to apply them. Now that Shelgon knew it, they could begin to practice.
Shelgon exchanged a few words with Kommo-o, and then realized he had yet to formally greet Cain.
Then, with his four sturdy, column-like legs, he walked over to Cain and gently rubbed against him.
"Alright, alright, I know you've evolved. But you'll still have to keep working hard, okay?" Cain said with a smile.
Shelgon squinted happily and nodded several times.
Perhaps due to the effect of the reverse scale, the side effects of the quality-enhancement potion did not manifest in his body.
But the environment was clearly no longer suitable for continued training.
Neither the Combee nor the Vespiquen would dare act recklessly after witnessing Kommo-o's presence.
Just looking at the state of the three Skuntank was enough to understand.
Before, they acted all important in front of Cain's sand throne, as if they were his second-in-command.
But since Kommo-o appeared, all they could do was tremble in a corner. They didn't even dare come near.
Maybe Cain didn't know, but they did: there was a legend in that forest about Kommo-o.
The legend said: "If you hear the sound 'ching ching', run. And don't look back."
And now, before them, stood the creature feared by all the Pokémon of the forest.
How could they not be scared?
Seeing the good relationship between Shelgon and Cain, Kommo-o accepted that maybe he had been a bit impulsive at the beginning.
But then he remembered something: Cain had spoken the exact name of his species.
Kommo-o.
That name—he had only heard it back when he was a small Jangmo-o, in conversations between his parents.
He approached Cain.
"Unknown creature... do you know what kind of Pokémon I am?" Kommo-o asked.
That was Slowking's translation.
Cain's forehead furrowed with black lines.
Unknown creature?
Again with that?
"First of all, my name is Cain. I'm the trainer of these Pokémon, so I'd appreciate it if you stopped calling me that."
"And second... what if I do know you're a Kommo-o?" Cain replied seriously.
His assumption was starting to seem correct.
Perhaps this Kommo-o was the last of his kind in this dimension, and had never seen others like him—maybe he wasn't even sure of his own species.
Upon hearing that Cain knew of his existence, Kommo-o didn't even care that Cain's tone hadn't been the friendliest at first.
"Then, Cain... where did you learn that? Have you seen other Kommo-o?" he asked immediately.
Cain shook his head.
"No. I haven't seen them."
Kommo-o showed a disappointed expression.
"But I know where there might be more. And I also know your species because it's been documented for a long time," Cain said with determination.
It was true. His species had been known for years.
Of course, how many people were truly aware of it was another matter.
Kommo-o didn't seem concerned about that ambiguity.
"Where?" Kommo-o asked anxiously.
Cain made a doubtful face.
"It's not here. Maybe you don't know this, but the place where you live now is just a small space. Outside, there's a much larger world. A world called the Pokémon World, created by the legendary Arceus."
Kommo-o listened intently, like a student before his teacher, amazed to learn he wasn't alone in the universe.
Cain kept speaking, while Kommo-o nodded from time to time, reflecting on what he heard.
He even asked questions when he didn't understand something.
But Cain would stop him with a smile, saying those basic things would be explained later by Shelgon.
The other Pokémon were also paying attention to the explanation, focused on Cain's words.
All except Slowking, who brought a hand to his forehead.
It had been so long since he'd seen Cain use his "special ability" that he thought he'd forgotten it.
But now...
That Kommo-o, a Champion-level Pokémon who had just recently intimidated them, was standing there obediently, listening like a model student.
Once again, a Pokémon had fallen under Cain's "charm."
Slowking felt deep pride in his own intelligence.
A kind of enlightened superiority, like someone who remains sober among drunks.
But Cain, while speaking, glanced sideways at Slowking and gave him a mysterious smile.
Instantly, Slowking shivered.
He immediately joined Kommo-o's group, adopting expressions of interest, understanding, and reflection at the right moments.
Seeing Slowking follow along, Cain nodded in satisfaction. Then he looked at the rest of the Pokémon, who wore equally attentive expressions.
Very good. Very good.
Now this is worth it.
(End of Chapter)