Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom (200 - 398)

Chapter 244: A Look of Adoration

When Cain appeared in the stands, the sailors were already battling Team Aqua members.

Kingler, Machop, Machoke, Golbat, Psyduck, Primeape, and other Pokémon were all in the plaza, and the battle had turned into complete chaos.

In addition to the first mate fighting directly against Team Aqua's temporary captain, the other sailors did not split up into different fronts but instead faced Team Aqua's combatants together.

Because the sailors were accustomed to fighting in chaotic battles against pirates, and after so much time together, their teamwork was far better than that of the Team Aqua members.

Although Team Aqua had a numerical advantage, the sailors managed to stand their ground.

However, the longer the battle lasted, the more Team Aqua's advantage grew, as their numbers meant they had more Pokémon and could endure longer.

Cain watched silently from the stands for a moment, and once most of the Team Aqua members were engrossed in the battle, he slipped down with his Haunter and Slowpoke.

"Haunter, use Hypnosis with all your strength and put as many Team Aqua members to sleep as possible. Slowpoke, use Confusion to control those who remain standing. As for their Pokémon, if all goes well, we shouldn't have any issues." Cain instructed Slowpoke and Haunter.

Both nodded, showing they understood the task.

Haunter slipped into the shadows, and as soon as Cain gave the signal, both Pokémon began working together to neutralize the Team Aqua members.

As one by one fell under Haunter's move, others noticed what was happening. However, before they could act, Slowpoke used Confusion to immobilize them.

Cain quickly moved to the first Team Aqua member who fell under Hypnosis and took the Pokéball from his belt, capturing the disoriented Crawdaunt inside and locking the ball.

Then, without further concern for them, he pulled several knives from his ring and began to free the captured people.

He distributed the remaining knives among the captives, urging them to free the others.

At that moment, Team Aqua's Pokémon who had been on guard started reacting. The Dark-type Crawdaunt broke Slowpoke's Confusion, allowing all the Team Aqua members to regain mobility.

Cain shouted, "Quick! If you know where your Pokéballs are, get them back. I'll handle the distraction!"

With that, Cain, along with Slowpoke and Haunter, launched himself at the Team Aqua members.

However, Cain's strength alone wasn't enough; after all, there were too many opponents.

At that moment, Cain pulled someone to the side and whispered, "I'll distract them. You free as many as you can. If things become unmanageable, save as many as you can and escape."

The person Cain had pulled was, to his surprise, Kyoko, the same person who had cried after losing to him in the quarterfinals.

Though Kyoko had tears in her eyes, she now looked at him with evident adoration.

"Cain, I forgive you!" Kyoko exclaimed unexpectedly.

Cain was surprised to realize he had pulled Kyoko, but given the moment, he had no other choice.

"Remember! Save as many as you can. If things get out of hand, retreat. The Pokémon League should be arriving soon!" Cain said, cutting Kyoko off before she could say more.

After that, he ordered Slowpoke and Haunter to launch a full-scale attack, then turned to dash out of the battlefield.

Seeing that Cain's attacks had injured Team Aqua members, some of them pursued him.

Cain ran down the hall, followed by several Team Aqua members who continued launching attacks with their Pokémon, though each was intercepted by Slowpoke and Haunter.

A cold smile appeared on Cain's lips, and his dark eyes gleamed with restrained murderous intent.

For a long time, Cain had pretended to be a compliant League trainer, limiting his true power in battles.

Had he attacked with full force during the ambush, he could have neutralized three or four people instantly, which would have drastically changed the situation.

But this outcome was exactly what Cain wanted.

Infiltrating Team Aqua's ranks, freeing the S.S. Anne's captured members, and then drawing Team Aqua's attention to himself, facing the bulk of their forces alone.

Didn't they see the look of admiration Kyoko gave Cain?

If this story reached the Pokémon League, Cain would surely be praised. Not that he cared much for resources, but the Pokémon League wouldn't hesitate to grant him a medal or a banner of recognition.

And if old Matsuda exaggerated a bit, maybe Cain would become the League's next rising star.

A brave and selfless hero, with outstanding skills and the ability to train Pokémon.

If Cain could hide his true identity, infiltrating the Pokémon League would be within reach.

Then, with identities in the League, Team Rocket, and the hunter's guild, Cain would have access to all the resources he needed to grow.

But first, Cain needed to get off the S.S. Anne. Although he was sure the Pokémon League would praise him, he preferred that to happen when he was safely on solid ground.

By taking out these Team Aqua members, Cain had the perfect excuse to disappear.

He had run far enough to no longer be followed. Cain took out two Pokéballs from his belt and, with a spin, entered a luxury suite that Slowpoke had opened with its psychic power. Since there were no cameras in the room, Cain could operate securely.

Once inside, he released two Pokéballs, and Sneasel and Murkrow appeared in the room.

"Sneasel, Murkrow, take them down quickly. Focus on finishing them off!" Cain dodged an attack from a Team Aqua Pokémon and gave the command.

Since the room's door was narrow, the Team Aqua members couldn't fight side by side, nor could their Pokémon enter in groups.

In an instant, Sneasel and Murkrow began taking them down one by one, while Slowpoke and Haunter worked together to control and put enemy Pokémon to sleep.

The Team Aqua members, who had entered so eagerly, now lay in pools of blood.

Cain quickly collected the Pokéballs from their belts, capturing their Pokémon and locking them.

"Slowpoke, Sneasel, clean up the blood. Murkrow, break the window with your strongest move. Haunter, check the room for an oxygen tank; there should be an emergency kit in a luxury suite." Cain gave orders calmly.

He stowed the Team Aqua members' tools and Pokéballs without taking the time to examine his gains.

The most important thing now was to disappear without a trace.

(End of Chapter)