The Pokémon Cain chose for the battle was...
At this moment, Cain’s Gengar had reached level 53, and by surpassing level 50—also known as the threshold for the quasi-elite level—it had learned an incredibly useful move:
For a Pokémon like Gengar, that move was of utmost importance and utility. Using ghostly energy imbued with a terrifying aura of grudging hatred, the move casts a kind of curse on the opponent.
If the affected Pokémon managed to defeat Gengar and knocked it out, it would also suffer the same fate, losing its ability to fight or falling into a critical state.
It is a fearsome move, one that ensures a shared destiny between both Pokémon, and it is highly valued by Ghost-type Pokémon trainers. Its value even surpasses that of the move Perish Song.
"Gengar, Hypnosis!" ordered Cain.
As soon as it appeared, Gengar received the command to unleash a hypnotic attack.
Dragonair’s condition was not optimal after the previous clashes. Its body was weakened, and there was a high chance it wouldn’t be able to resist the mental attack and would succumb to sleep.
Clair watched as Dragonair fell under the effects of Hypnosis, but she didn’t seem overly concerned. She knew Dragonair’s special ability, Shed Skin, could activate at any moment and allow it to wake up. Moreover, Dragonair knew the move Sleep Talk, which would allow it to fight even while asleep.
As expected, Gengar successfully hypnotized Dragonair.
"Gengar, Dream Eater!" Cain quickly commanded.
"Dragonair, Sleep Talk!" responded Clair.
Although Dragonair didn’t wake up immediately, it used Sleep Talk to respond. However, Sleep Talk’s outcome is random, and the move it executes cannot be predicted.
Gengar seized the opportunity to absorb energy directly from Dragonair, using the move Dream Eater. Although Gengar hadn’t lost energy beforehand, this attack allowed it to grow even stronger, while Dragonair weakened further.
From deep sleep, Dragonair responded to Clair’s command. It opened its mouth slightly, and a powerful Dragon-type energy wave emerged in an attempt to strike.
However, because Dragonair was asleep, the accuracy of the attack wasn’t great, and Gengar, hidden in the shadows, dodged it easily.
At that moment, Dragonair’s shimmering scales began to glow faintly. It was evident that Shed Skin was about to activate.
"Gengar, Skill Swap! Then Dream Eater again and finish her with Shadow Ball!" ordered Cain precisely.
Clair was stunned upon hearing Cain’s orders.
He had been waiting for this moment!
Just as Dragonair’s Shed Skin was about to activate, Gengar used Skill Swap, replacing its own ability with Dragonair’s. As a result, Shed Skin was deactivated before it could take effect.
Immediately after, Gengar launched another Dream Eater attack, followed by two dark energy balls, knocking Dragonair out.
Clair had lost her third Pokémon.
The battlefield changed once again, this time to a grassy terrain. However, this modification didn’t significantly impact either trainer.
Clair, still reeling from Dragonair’s defeat, recalled her Pokémon and threw a new Poké Ball. As she did, she saw Cain also withdrawing Gengar, which caused her expression to darken.
Cain was about to use the Pokémon she feared most!
As she suspected, Cain released the enigmatic and powerful Florges.
On her side, Clair had sent out Druddigon, a Dragon-type Pokémon known for its notable toughness. However, the appearance of Florges on the field made it clear that this would be a pivotal battle.
Florges, a Fairy-type Pokémon, was a direct threat to Dragon-type Pokémon. The tension in the stadium rose dramatically.
All spectators, trainers, and officials present focused their attention on this battle, knowing the clash between these two Pokémon would be the highlight of the match.
Florges’s ability to manipulate the terrain quickly became apparent.
"Florges, Misty Terrain!"—Cain ordered firmly.
Upon hearing this, Clair knew she was in serious trouble. Her Druddigon was no match for a Fairy-type in such a favorable terrain. Although she considered switching Pokémon, she knew Cain would do the same, turning the battle into a tedious exchange of strategies.
The terrain began to shift. A soft pink glow covered the field, while an ethereal mist spread, significantly weakening the Dragon-type energy in Druddigon’s body.
The spectators were shocked.
"What is that move? Why have we never seen it before?"
"Florges! That’s the name of that Pokémon, right? What is that Fairy-type thing?" one of the spectators asked in disbelief.
"A new type? How can there be an eighteenth type?" exclaimed another.
Even the event officials looked at each other in concern. The existence of the Fairy type and its impact on the type balance was not information meant to be revealed yet. However, Cain, unknowingly, had exposed this secret to the public.
Druddigon tried to resist the unfavorable environment, but the weakening effect of Misty Terrain was evident. Its Dragon energy, which usually flowed intensely, seemed to be suppressed.
"So... this is the power of the Fairy type," murmured Clair. As a member of a family dedicated to mastering Dragon-type Pokémon, she immediately understood how devastating this new type would be for her lineage.
In the midst of her dismay, Florges executed a flawless move, quickly finishing off Druddigon.
Clair had now lost four Pokémon, including Dragonair and Druddigon. Although she had already revealed her Charizard, she had not yet used it in battle. She had only one Pokémon left, while Cain still had Florges and several others in perfect condition.
The battle had taken an unexpected turn. For Clair, this wasn’t just an imminent defeat, but a terrifying revelation about the future of Dragon-type Pokémon in the face of the Fairy type.
In the stands, the audience was left stunned, until someone finally spoke up.
"Fairy-types are immune to Dragon-type moves?" someone asked quietly.
This revelation was more than just a blow. For Clair and all lovers of Dragon-type Pokémon, the world had just changed dramatically.