In Cain's view, Pokémon like Solrock and Lunatone are the best "experience babies."
The combination of their Rock and Psychic types makes these Pokémon extremely vulnerable.
They have double weaknesses to Ground, Bug, Ghost, Steel, Water, Grass, and Dark types. Although they resist Normal, Flying, Poison, Fire, and Psychic types, this does little to compensate for their multiple weaknesses.
Currently, Cain's team includes Slowking (Water type), Honchkrow and Weavile (both Dark types), Gengar (Ghost type), Drapion (Dark type), and Floette, who can switch to a Grass type with the move Camouflage.
All of them can exploit Solrock and Lunatone's weaknesses.
What better experience baby could there be?
If Cain could find a large number of them, he could easily defeat them and gain a significant amount of experience for his Pokémon.
By chance, as he walked through the tunnel, Cain encountered a particularly strong Solrock.
Pokémon: Solrock (Light Green)
Types: Rock + Psychic
Basic Moves: Flare Blitz, Tackle, Harden, Confusion, Rock Throw, Fire Spin, Rock Polish, Psywave, Embargo, Rock Slide, Cosmic Power, Psychic, Heal Block, Stone Edge, Solar Beam, Explosion
Learned Moves: Telekinesis, Gravity, Iron Defense, Earth Power
This Solrock was at a notable level for a wild Pokémon, reaching 45. Its potential was decent, indicating it had survived in this area for a long time.
It carried Stardust, a small meteorite fragment that gave it a special shimmer and emitted a faint glow in the dark tunnels. Stardust is valuable in the market, particularly among jewelers.
But Cain had a more practical use in mind: with Stardust, he could forge a durable accessory to embed a Mega Stone or Key Stone.
This material could withstand high and low temperatures, making it stable and long-lasting. It would be ideal for Pokémon to wear without worrying about it falling off during battles while also adding a touch of elegance for Cain.
Solrock's appearance, resembling a small sun with its half-closed eyes, gave it an imposing air.
Despite being a Psychic-type, Solrock isn't known for its analytical abilities. It behaves more like a meteorite floating in space, attacking only when its territory is intruded upon.
However, this Solrock stood directly in Cain's path.
When Cain saw it, he felt a slight sense of relief.
In his previous life, the Pokémon he was searching for lived in an area surrounded by a group of Solrock. That was likely why the Pokémon had never left Meteor Falls. Cain had seized the opportunity to capture it then.
Seeing a Solrock meant he was heading in the right direction.
"Let's go," Cain said, continuing forward with Slowking and Weavile.
Sensing strangers in its territory, Solrock's eyes began to glow intensely red, focusing on Cain and his Pokémon.
Noticing this, Cain decided to take the initiative.
"Slowking, Water Pulse! And you, Weavile, Dark Pulse!"
Both Pokémon launched their attacks simultaneously. Slowking created a sphere of water, while Weavile formed a dark ball of malicious energy. Both moves struck Solrock in rapid succession.
Solrock was severely injured due to the type advantage, left almost powerless before it could counterattack.
Its eyes glowed even brighter as it used Psychic, directing the attack toward Cain, who seemed the most vulnerable target.
"Weavile," Cain said calmly.
"Weell!" his Pokémon cried, charging toward the attack.
The Psychic-type move had no effect on Weavile due to its Dark typing. Weavile continued its advance without hesitation.
"Finish it, Weavile, with Night Slash!"
With a cry, Weavile coated its claws in dark energy and struck. Solrock barely had time to react before the blow sent it crashing into the cave wall, leaving a sizable dent.
The Solrock collapsed, unable to continue the battle.
Cain chose not to eliminate Solrock. After all, such a valuable experience baby would be useful later. If he let it live, he could return with his second team for training.
Leaving the weakened Solrock behind, Cain pressed forward, encountering wider tunnels filled with more wild Pokémon.
Aside from Solrock, he also found many Rock-type Pokémon like Geodude, Graveler, and several Zubat and Golbat.
All fell to the combined attacks of Slowking and Weavile, who worked in perfect harmony. They never wasted unnecessary moves and conserved their energy efficiently.
Floette's presence was a great support. Whenever a Pokémon grew tired or injured, she used Grassy Terrain to heal and restore their energy.
There was nothing that couldn't be solved with one use of Grassy Terrain. And if one wasn't enough, two would certainly suffice.
Floette also occasionally joined the battles, and her Grass-type moves proved highly effective.
Here, Floette didn't need to hide. She could fight freely from Cain's shoulder, launching her moves at will.