Soon, Cain's Pokémon, fully unleashed, finished clearing the battlefield.
Weavile leveled up, reaching level 44, matching Honchkrow and the others.
However, it wouldn't be long before it leveled up again. After a month of accumulation, the energy within them had reached a critical point, and they would only need a few more battles to experience consecutive level-ups.
Among them, Weavile, who had fought the most, was the first to level up.
Both Team Aqua trainers, with a total of ten Pokémon, lost their lives when Cain decided to show no mercy.
The small Bagon behind Cain watched all this in astonishment. When those two Team Aqua trainers released their nine Pokémon, Bagon truly thought it was done for.
The nine Pokémon they released didn't hide their presence and were far more intimidating than Pokémon like Solrock and Lunatone that it usually encountered.
However, when Cain's Pokémon unleashed their full combat power, those nine Pokémon looked like mere chickens before a hawk, quickly being wiped out.
All that remained were the two trainers, sitting on the ground, unable to accept what they had just witnessed.
They had ten advanced or near-advanced level Pokémon, and Cain had eliminated them with ease.
The reason was simple.
Cain's Pokémon completely outclassed Team Aqua's in potential, aptitude, and training.
Moreover, the cooperation between his Pokémon was flawless. That Cain defeated them so easily was no surprise to him.
If, after so much effort training them, feeding them the best Pokéblocks, teaching them the most suitable moves, and subjecting them to a rigorous regime of training and battle tactics, they couldn't even defeat ordinary-level trainers, then all that effort would have been in vain.
With so much time spent on development and attention to detail, the sum of those small improvements resulted in something much greater, determining success in battle.
The prolonged use of high-quality Pokéblocks, in contrast to basic-level ones, created a notable difference in the Pokémon's power.
While the differences might not be noticeable at first, over time, Cain's Pokémon easily outperformed those of ordinary trainers.
Now, Cain had become one of the vanguard leaders.
No rival at his level could surpass him.
This was the result of all his effort, and now he was quite satisfied with it.
Without paying attention to the defeated trainers, Cain turned toward Bagon, who was still stunned by the scene.
Cain crouched down and gently patted Bagon's head, and this time, the little Pokémon didn't show fear or resistance.
Smiling, Cain said, "What do you think? Have you seen my strength? Do you still doubt joining me? You'll have plenty of food, grow stronger, and one day, you might even learn to fly!"
Cain felt his persuasion skills had improved significantly.
"If you follow me, I promise you won't be inferior to any of them, and you might even reach the top of this world. No one will dare bother you again, and you'll never lack food. You'll be able to soar high in the skies, becoming the true 'Blood Moon'!"
As Cain spoke, Bagon's eyes lit up more and more. It imagined itself being powerful, enjoying delicious food, and seeing those who once bothered it bowing before it. It also thought about flying, reaching the skies.
But what was the sky like?
And what did the outside world look like?
Bagon's eyes filled with curiosity and desire. Though its body bore many wounds, its pride as a dragon-type Pokémon didn't allow it to live in a dark place .
The sky! That was its destiny.
"Gruuu!" Bagon nodded decisively.
Cain smiled and took out a Luxury Ball. "If you're ready, enter."
Bagon looked at the Pokéball, a bit hesitant.
"What's wrong?" Cain noticed its hesitation.
Bagon immediately began digging with its paws, revealing its "food": a few dried mosses and the Pokéblocks Cain had given it earlier.
It was clear that Bagon didn't want to leave its food behind.
It had a terrible fear of going hungry again.
Cain smiled, though he felt a bit remorseful. However, he didn't stop it, as this would build Bagon's trust in him.
"Alright, take it with you," Cain nodded.
Bagon became excited, carefully gathered its food, and pressed the Pokéball's button.
A red beam enveloped it.
Before it was fully absorbed, Cain placed a box full of Pokéblocks into its hands and said, "This is for you too."
Before Bagon could react, it disappeared into the red light.
Without resistance, the Luxury Ball emitted a soft sound, indicating that Bagon had been captured.
Cain immediately released it again, and Bagon reappeared carrying moss and the box of Pokéblocks, almost completely obscuring its vision.
"Hahaha! I was just kidding. Welcome to our team, Bagon," Cain said as he extended his hand toward it.
Honchkrow and Slowking approached, smiling, surrounding the little newcomer. As its "older brothers," they felt a new responsibility for the young one joining their group.
Bagon looked at Cain's hand, then at its food-filled arms, a little confused.
However, being so intelligent, it soon understood and rubbed its head against Cain's palm.
Cain was momentarily surprised, but then he smiled, gently stroking Bagon's head.
Bagon turned out to be much smarter than Cain had anticipated. It hadn't yet developed the resentment toward the world that Cain remembered from his previous life, meaning it had great potential for training.
However, the first thing he needed to do was restore its physical condition and growth capacity.
The box of Pokéblocks Cain had given it was specially made to help Pokémon that had suffered a loss of vital energy regain their full potential.
In time, Bagon would become as strong as it was destined to be.