Pokémon: Grumpig (Dark Green)
Egg Moves: Zen Headbutt, Mirror Coat, Endure
Basic Moves: Teeter Dance, Belch, Splash, Psywave, Odor Sleuth, Psybeam, Psych Up, Confuse Ray, Magic Coat, Power Gem, Rest, Snore, Psyshock
Learned Moves: Thunder Punch, Telekinesis, Heal Bell, Snatch
These are the stats of the leader of the Grumpig group. The system automatically displayed its profile when Grumpig entered Cain's scanning range.
Grumpig is, in fact, a Pokémon very similar to Slowpoke before it evolves. Apart from Slowpoke's Water type, its similarity to Grumpig is high, both in appearance and moves.
Grumpig is a Psychic-type Pokémon, excelling in Psychic-type moves. However, it has a weakness: it cannot naturally learn the move Miracle Eye.
This is also the case with Slowpoke. It cannot learn Miracle Eye either, but Cain's Slowking managed to learn it because it is a shiny Pokémon.
Thus, Grumpig, a Pokémon notable for its Psychic-type moves, is at a disadvantage against Honchkrow and Sneasel, which are Dark-type.
Even though its level is higher than Honchkrow and Sneasel, its psychic power is not strong enough to ignore the type disadvantage.
Yes, type disadvantages exist within certain limits.
For instance, Dark-type Pokémon are immune to Psychic-type attacks, and Normal-type Pokémon are immune to Ghost-type attacks.
But this is valid only if the levels and strength of the Pokémon aren't too disparate. If there's a significant level difference, the accumulation of energy is enough to overcome immunity.
For example, a level 5 Dark-type Pokémon wouldn't be immune to the Psychic-type attacks of a level 90 Psychic Pokémon. The sheer amount of energy would overwhelm it.
It's like rubber, which can insulate against electricity but not against a lightning strike or high-voltage discharge.
The rubber would simply melt under the immense energy.
Similarly, Pokémon type immunities follow this logic.
However, in this case, Honchkrow and Sneasel can completely ignore the Psychic moves of the Grumpig.
So, even though the leader of the Grumpig has reached level 42, they are at a significant disadvantage against Honchkrow and Sneasel.
"With their intelligence, they should be able to understand what I say, right?" Cain said calmly, looking at the hostile Grumpig in the distance.
"Grum!" The Grumpig leader remained serious.
Cain, though maintaining a neutral expression, could sense the intense malice emanating from him.
As his malice grew, so did that of the Pokémon around him.
The other Pokémon weren't as intimidating, but two Dark-type Pokémon provoked an innate fear in the Grumpig leader, as if he were facing his natural predators.
Moreover, a pink Pokémon with a majestic appearance, bearing something like a crown-shaped shell, emitted two intertwined psychic waves, as if they were a single entity.
The psychic power emanating from that Pokémon was so overwhelming that even the Grumpig leader felt astonished.
"What do you intend, human?" asked the Grumpig leader, his eyes glowing red, psychic energy flowing.
The leader's voice echoed in Cain's mind via telepathy.
Sensing the telepathic connection, Cain didn't sever the link with his own psychic powers.
"I'm interested in your kind because you might have something that can enhance my psychic abilities. I'm sorry, but... I have no other choice," Cain said, raising an eyebrow and flashing a cold smile.
It seemed he was about to massacre another Pokémon tribe. If not for the potential of finding the Shining Stone, he might have considered relocating the Grumpig to the mountains behind his home.
The mountains behind Cain's gym in Verdant Town were vast and challenging to manage. Having a group of Psychic Pokémon helping to guard it would have made intrusions nearly impossible.
The artificial lake behind the gym could be cared for by the Slowpoke tribe, but Cain didn't yet have a plan for the mountains.
Hearing Cain's words, both the leader and his Grumpig tribe grew furious. This was an open challenge.
"Honchkrow, Sneasel, prepare for battle!"
The main fighters this time would be the Dark-types, Honchkrow and Sneasel.
Against Pokémon like Grumpig, who only have Psychic-type moves, as long as they're cautious about moves of other types, they can completely ignore Psychic attacks.
"Slowking, use Nasty Plot."
"Haunter, this time you'll be the distraction. Be careful not to get hit."
Slowking would play a crucial role in the offense. As for Haunter, despite being a Ghost and Poison type, which is vulnerable to Psychic, it also has Ghost-type moves that are highly effective against Psychic Pokémon.
So Haunter had to prioritize avoiding attacks and then strike from the shadows.
Honchkrow and Sneasel would take the lead, absorbing most of the attacks.
As for Skorupi, it was still a Bug and Poison type for now. Once it evolved into Drapion, it would become a Poison and Dark type, immune to Psychic attacks.
"Skorupi, dodge Psychic attacks and wait for the right moment to use Bite. Remember how to use your pincers and find the enemy's weak point."
Cain gave instructions to each of his Pokémon, detailing their roles.
Unlike one-on-one or two-on-two battles, this was a group fight, heavily reliant on the Pokémon's reaction speed and the trainer's precise commands at key moments.
Most of the time, the Pokémon fought following the trainer's directions but made their own decisions in the heat of battle.
Honchkrow led the charge. As a Dark-type Pokémon, it had no fear of facing Psychics.
Seeing Honchkrow approaching from the air, the Grumpig began to use their most powerful Psychic moves against it.
But the attacks had no effect. Honchkrow didn't even flinch.
The Grumpig leader grew frustrated. Dark-type Pokémon were a real problem.