"Master, go ahead! I'll take care of these three!" Cain shouted to Drake, Steven, and the others.
Those three high-ranking members of the Sacred Church were the real problem. Earlier, Vivian and the other two, together with the League's battle trainers, had barely managed to hold them back... and even so, it had been a one-sided massacre.
If Cain could hold them off, or even defeat them, the crisis would be resolved immediately!
Upon hearing his words, although they sounded somewhat exaggerated, for some reason Drake and the others felt that Cain truly could accomplish it.
Drake looked at Cain, who was brimming with confidence, and could not help but be stunned.
When had Cain reached such a level?
"You damned brat..." he muttered with a bitter smile, but still chose to trust him.
Although Drake was fighting Marcus, Vivian and the others were also prominent figures of the new generation of the Hoenn League, and he had been attentive to their safety, so he was well aware of the strength of their opponents.
Honestly, even he would not dare claim that he could defeat those three with complete certainty.
Furthermore, that Pokémon beside Cain, so similar to Salamence... he did not know what species it was nor what special abilities it possessed.
But now was not the time to analyze that. Marcus was burning with the desire to confront Cain; if not for the greater threat Drake posed, he would have already rushed toward him.
However, since Cain had decided to face three enemies alone, Marcus could only hope that he would hold out long enough for him to deal with Cain later.
Once again, he directed his Pokémon to collide head-on with Drake's Salamence.
Cain, with an arrogant smile on his face, made a provocative gesture with his finger toward the three high-ranking members of the Sacred Church.
Only he truly knew the extent of his own strength.
Not having to hide Mega Evolution, not having to conceal his power... that feeling of freedom was wonderful.
Moreover, not far away, several fearless reporters were recording the scene.
"Let this battle directly solidify my position in Hoenn. It's time to show the entire world my true strength," Cain thought, with a spark of excitement.
Before returning from the Space-Time Continent, his objective had been very clear.
Champion!
To become Champion through absolute power!
To achieve that, he had to possess everything: strength, popularity, and every other necessary factor.
This battle was being watched by countless people. If he crushed his opponents with an overwhelming offensive, he would leave an unforgettable impression and return to the peak of the League's new generation.
According to Cain's memories, in the original timeline, Steven would become Champion of the Hoenn region during these years, hold the position for one year, and then voluntarily pass it on to Wallace.
He had to become Champion before Steven and take control of all the League's armed forces in Hoenn!
That was Cain's objective.
And he had no intention of hiding it. He was certain that, when the others found out, no one would oppose him.
A trainer who does not aspire to become Champion is not a qualified trainer!
One by one, Cain removed the Poké Balls from his belt and released his Pokémon.
If he wanted to become Champion, the first thing he needed was, without a doubt, absolute power.
As the emblem of the Sandstorm Elite Four: Tyranitar, slightly smaller than before, yet with an even more terrifying presence.
Before it, Cain's former emblem, Slowking, carrying the majestic bearing of a king.
The master of evasive combat, ethereal by nature, the core axis of the team and the corrector of tactical errors: Gengar.
The ultimate modern warrior, with the greatest bodily efficiency and capable of controlling the flames of Ho-Oh: Blaziken.
The ultimate defensive shield, a true living metallic fortress: Aggron.
And finally, the legendary Pokémon, bearer of the title of the god of Nightmares: Darkrai.
Together with the Mega Salamence that had brought him to the battlefield...
Seven Pokémon in total! And none of them showed a level below the first threshold of Champion level.
Not only were the members of the Sacred Church frozen in shock; even those present who were paying part of their attention to Cain —including Marcus— were left speechless.
What had Cain experienced to undergo such a radical transformation?
Especially some ordinary League trainers, who upon seeing Darkrai immediately took out their Pokédex. After reading its information...
First, they felt an instinctive chill upon seeing the title God of Nightmares, and then... a surge of excitement.
Elite Four Cain's strength was simply terrifying!
A faint smile curved at the corner of Cain's lips. That confidence —so intense it bordered on arrogance— caused countless girls watching the live broadcast on television to feel their eyes turn into hearts.
Although Cain and Steven were similar in appearance, they represented completely different styles.
Steven was the elegant young aristocrat, impeccable and gentlemanly. Cain, on the other hand, carried a careless air, a dangerous and rebellious vibe, like an untamable wanderer.
Two absolute extremes... and yet, best friends.
But when Cain displayed such absolute confidence, that natural charisma became the most lethal poison.
They say confident men are the most attractive... and Cain was living proof.
"Steven! That... did you say it already?" Cain shouted, completely ignoring the three Sacred Church members who had adopted defensive stances.
Steven, who was fighting with full concentration against Irene, was momentarily confused before understanding what Cain meant.
"Huh?... No! Lance, Cynthia, and I agreed that if after one year you still hadn't returned, then we would decide whether to make it public or not," he shouted in response.
Since both spoke loudly enough, not only those present, but also those watching the live broadcast paid close attention to their words.
The situation was clear to everyone: if Cain could not contain those three, everything would be lost.
Upon hearing Steven's reply, Cain smiled in satisfaction.
Worthy future Champions of three different regions... when they gave their word, they kept it.
From today onward, the value of Mega Stones would skyrocket without limit. And the favors those three owed him... would not be easy to repay.
But today...
Cain would reveal Mega Evolution to the entire world!
With a twist of his wrist, two Key Stones appeared in his hands.
The moment they appeared, Tyranitar and Gengar showed expressions of impatience.
They knew Cain's plan well. Today, not only Salamence: all Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution were going to display their power.
And to begin, nothing was better than Tyranitar and Gengar. With their current strength, upon mega evolving they would directly reach the second threshold of Champion level.
Drake's Salamence had only just crossed that level. What Cain was about to show would demonstrate beyond doubt that he possessed what was necessary to become Champion.
Following Cain's signal, Mega Salamence automatically canceled its Mega Evolution.
"Show the world your true power! Tyranitar! Gengar! Mega Evolve!" Cain roared, raising the two Key Stones, his eyes burning with determination.
As his words fell, the bodies of Tyranitar and Gengar began to transform...
(End of Chapter)