Chapter 372: Rematch! Vs. Giovanni! (1) [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Sevii Island, Sevel Island – Trainer Tower]
The stale air of the Trainer Tower on Seven Island hung heavy, a stark contrast to the rush of relief that had just washed over the assembled group. Professor Oak, his glasses slightly askew, was finally free, his wrists chafed, but his spirit intact.
Beside him, Green's parents, pale and disoriented, clung to their daughter, whose face was stained with tears of joy. Her usually mischievous grin was replaced by a look of profound love and relief as she hugged them tightly, murmuring assurances.
Red and Blue stood by, their expressions softening at the heartwarming sight, while even the stoic Mewtwo seemed to observe the scene with an almost-curious stillness. Azure, ever watchful, allowed a rare, soft smile to touch his lips, his gaze calm.
But the fragile peace was shattered in an instant. The very air around them shimmered, distorting like a faulty signal.
From the shifting haze, dark silhouettes began to coalesce, growing in number and definition with terrifying speed. Gasps echoed through the chamber as the figures resolved into their true forms: dozens, then scores, of Deoxys, their crystalline bodies shimmering under the tower's artificial lights.
Blue muttered, his eyes wide, "What in the world…?"
Green exclaimed, her reunion abruptly forgotten as her hand instinctively went to a Poké Ball, "So many of them!"
Red narrowed his eyes, seeing the Dexoys as he muttered, "They look like Deoxys, but… There are too many. And they feel… different."
Before they could fully process the shock, the Deoxys began to move, their long, whip-like arms extending and their angular forms shifting into attack mode. Green, her trainer instincts overriding her emotional turmoil, acted immediately, "Clefy! Jiggly! Protect my parents and Professor Oak!"
*Pop*
Her Clefable and Wigglytuff, ever loyal, quickly moved to form a defensive perimeter around the non-combatants, their bodies glowing faintly. Red roared, "Saur, let's go! Time to assist!"
*Pop*
Red sent out his powerful Venusaur, who landed with a heavy thud, vines already twitching. Blue's Charizard erupted from its ball, a defiant screech tearing through the air, wings already beating.
Azure's partners moved as he roared, "Pikachu, Eevee, come on!"
Pikachu's cheeks are sparking, Eevee's fur bristling, their eyes fixed on the encroaching threats. Green hurled her Poke Ball, declaring, "Blasty, to me!"
*Pop*
Green's Blastoise emerged, cannons aimed, ready to unleash a torrent. The battle erupted in a maelstrom of energy.
The Deoxys Duplicates, though numerous, lacked the singular focus and raw power of the original, but their sheer numbers made them a formidable foe. Vine Whips lashed out, Flamethrowers scorched the air, Thunderbolts arced wildly, and Hydro Pumps hammered into the crystalline forms.
*WHIP*
*SSSS*
*SPLASH*
*ZZZZT*
Yet, for every duplicate sent flying or destroyed, another two seemed to take their place. They moved with a disturbing, synchronized precision, a wave of alien power overwhelming the four trainers.
Red's Saur was a bulwark, enduring hits while retaliating with Giga Drain. Blue's Charizard soared, using its aerial advantage to pepper the crowd with infernos. Green's Blastoise stood firm, its Shell Spin deflecting attacks before launching massive Hydro Pumps.
Azure, ever the tactician, directed Pikachu and Eevee with calm commands. Pikachu's Quick Attacks weaved through the enemies, delivering precise Thunderbolts, while Eevee, utilizing its adaptability, shifted through defensive Iron Tail blocks and swift Shadow Ball counters.
Despite their combined might, the trainers found themselves pushed back, their Pokémon taking hits as the sheer volume of attacks slowly chipped away at their resolve. A smooth, resonant voice, laced with a familiar, chilling arrogance, cut through the din, "Having trouble, children? It seems even the combined might of Kanto's brightest young stars isn't enough for my latest creation."
A figure emerged from the shifting ranks of Deoxys, stepping into the light. Clad in the familiar, menacing uniform, a large 'R' emblazoned on his chest, stood Giovanni, the notorious leader of Team Rocket.
His eyes, cold and calculating, swept over the struggling trainers, a cruel smile playing on his lips. Giovanni began, his voice resonating, "Team Rocket's acronym is simple enough, no? The voice of Team Rocket – Raid On the City, Knock out, Evil Tusks! To the HQ of my Team Rocket, the Tusks of Evil!"
He paused, allowing his words to sink in as he turned to Mewtwo, "And you, Mewtwo, what an unexpected guest."
Mewtwo, which had been observing with growing intensity, reacted instantly. Its eyes blazed with psychic energy, and with a guttural roar that echoed not from its throat but directly into their minds, it lunged forward, a devastating Psystrike coalescing around its hand.
*Woooosh*
Giovanni, however, moved with surprising speed for a man of his build, sidestepping the attack with a casual ease that spoke of long experience in dodging powerful Pokémon. Giovanni mocked, a glint in his eye, "Still so impulsive, aren't we? After all, I was the one who created you. Surely, you should show some respect for your 'creator'?"
Mewtwo halted, hover-still in the air, its psychic powers radiating palpable fury. Its telepathic voice boomed in their minds, cracking with raw emotion, 'Creator? You are an exception to my rule of only engaging with minds I trust. I stoop to speak with you now, Giovanni, solely to express the profound rage you inspire within me.'
*CRACKLE*
The very air crackled around Mewtwo, pulsing with Psychic Energy as it roared, 'You created me, yes, but only to suit your heinous deeds. You sought to chain my power, to twist my purpose. I will not stand by and let another Pokémon suffer under your cruel hand, Giovanni! I will foil your evil scheme, I will destroy you, I will not rest until you are incapable of ever doing such a heinous thing again!'
*WFFFF*
With that declaration, Mewtwo surged forward again, its form a blur of pure psychic energy, intending to crush the Rocket boss…
*KLANG*
But before its attack could connect, three Deoxys Duplicates, moving with an impossible speed, intercepted, forming a triangular shield that absorbed Mewtwo's brunt, forcing it back with surprising force. The creatures were not just copies; they were extensions of Giovanni and Deoxy's will.
Red, momentarily distracted from the fight with his own Saur, called out to Mewtwo, "What do you mean, 'let another Pokémon suffer under Giovanni again'?"
Mewtwo regained its composure, hovering still, its gaze piercing Giovanni as it replied, 'My species name and Deoxys' are strikingly similar, are they not? A psychic aberration… a creature born of scientific hubris.'
Giovanni chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. He gestured to the countless duplicates swirling around them as he explained, "Ah, Mewtwo, you truly see something of yourself in this… thing, don't you? A projection of your own miserable existence. But allow me to clarify. Deoxys is not a manufactured being like yourself. It is a virus, a parasitic organism from outer space, mutated into what you see before you. I merely refined it, captured it, and stripped it of its original purpose."
His eyes gleamed with a chilling pride as he continued, "You, Mewtwo, failed to be the ultimate weapon because you were given a will. But Deoxys? Its will was taken. The raw, untamed power of outer space, now under my absolute control!"
Mewtwo roared, a sound of pure, unadulterated fury that transcended telepathy, 'You monster! You will pay for this!'
*KRK*
*KRK*
It gathered an immense surge of power, energy arcing violently around its form, clearly preparing an attack that would annihilate everything in its path. Giovanni, however, merely smirked as he snapped his fingers, declaring, "Indeed. Which is why I prepared for your inevitable tantrum."
*Snap*
*PFFFFT*
From the ceiling, a metallic construct descended, unfolding with a series of whirs and clicks. It was an intricate suit of armor, designed with countless interlocking plates and glowing energy restraints.
Giovanni stated with grim satisfaction, eyeing the suit pieces of armor as he boasted proudly, "This is the M2 Bind. Designed specifically to restrain you, Mewtwo, should you ever step out of line again."
*Woooosh*
The M2 Bind descended rapidly, its metallic arms reaching out to ensnare the raging Psychic Pokémon. But just as the first restraint was about to clamp down to nerf Mewtwo…
*FLASH*
… a flash of red light erupted from Azure Sky's hand. Before anyone, even Giovanni, could fully comprehend what was happening, Mewtwo vanished, replaced by the familiar click of a Poké Ball recalling its occupant.
The M2 Bind slammed shut on empty air, its powerful mechanisms whirring uselessly. Giovanni's smug expression faltered, replaced by a genuine, fleeting look of surprise at the vanished Genetic Pokémon.
His eyes narrowed, landing squarely on Azure, who now held a pristine Master Ball in his hand as he muttered, "A Master Ball… and Mewtwo captured within it? Truly, Azure, you never cease to impress. However, I expected nothing less from you. It seems I must get through you before my plan can proceed as planned…"
He then fixed Red with a knowing look as he explained coldly, "It seems you're not the first to defeat me, boy. Five years ago, in my Viridian City Gym, this uncrowned champion here managed to do what few others could. Despite my rather… lucrative side-business, I still prided myself on my strength as a Gym Leader. And he defeated me then, albeit through sheer luck, he claimed at the time."
Red's jaw dropped. Blue and Green stared at Azure, then at Giovanni, completely dumbfounded. Azure, as usual, remained impassive, merely meeting Giovanni's gaze with a steady, unflinching intensity.
Giovanni's smirk returned, sharper now, more dangerous as he continued confidently, "Indeed, Azure. You and I have some unfinished business, don't we? And I think it's time we finished that, shall we?"
Azure didn't respond with words, but his posture, the slight tightening of his grip on the Master Ball, spoke volumes. This wasn't just a challenge; it was an acknowledgment of a long-standing, deeply personal feud.
Both knew. It would end, one way or another.
Giovanni's grin widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he declared, "Excellent! Then let us take this to the top of the Trainer Tower. No legends involved, of course. I recall how you trust your Pokémon instead of those captured Legendary Birds of Kanto during your journey, but never once used them against me in our match. I appreciate a man of principle."
Azure finally spoke, his voice calm and firm, eyeing Giovanni, "Agreed. If not using Mewtwo is the only way to defeat you, then I'll accept those terms."
The Dex Holders immediately protested, stepping forward, their expressions a mix of anger and concern. Blue shouted, his Charizard still battling the Deoxys Duplicates, "Azure, no! That's insane!"
*Woooosh*
But Giovanni's Deoxys Duplicates, as if on command, surged forward, forming a living barrier between the rival trainers and the four heroes. Giovanni stated, his voice brooking no argument, "This is between us."
Azure, however, raised a hand, a subtle shift in his usually stoic demeanor. Azure said calmly, his eyes locking with his opponent's, "Giovanni, you owe me a favor."
Giovanni paused, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his face again. He murmured curiously, "A favor?"
Azure continued, his gaze unwavering towards Giovanni, "From our previous encounter. If you lost, you owed me one. I'm cashing it in now."
Giovanni's lips thinned as he asked curiously, "And what could be worth interrupting this glorious reunion, Azure?"
Azure replied, gesturing to Red, Blue, Green, Professor Oak, and Green's parents, "For their safety. Off Seven Island. No harm done."
The heroes stared, utterly stunned by Azure's audacity. Giovanni, after a long moment of contemplation, gazed at Azure, let out a short, sharp laugh, "Hahahaha!! A man of his word, I am. Very well. If they do not interfere with our rematch, they shall be unharmed and returned to the mainland. But should they dare to return and cross our path, then at that point, it becomes retaliation."
*Swf*
Before anyone could argue further about Azure's choice, before Red could even fully register the exchange, the Deoxys Duplicates surrounding them shimmered fiercely. A wave of light enveloped the group of heroes, and with a silent pop, they vanished, teleported away from the Trainer Tower.
The chamber emptied, leaving only Azure, Giovanni, and a handful of Deoxys Duplicates. The remaining duplicates immediately formed an escort, guiding Giovanni and Azure towards the tower's summit.
As they ascended, Giovanni broke the silence as he asked bluntly, "You've gone soft, Azure. Prioritizing their safety over your own opportunity to seize victory. How unlike the boy who defeated me."
Azure merely glanced at him, a faint, knowing smirk playing on his lips as he replied, "True. But at least I'm not the one dying from their own disease now, am I?"
Giovanni's confident stride faltered for a fraction of a second. The jab, delivered so calmly, hit its mark. Azure's acute observation had pierced through Giovanni's carefully constructed facade of invincibility.
Giovanni merely snickered, a dry, rasping sound as he replied coldly, "No worries. I won't die just yet. Not with such… regrets. And not before I've vastly improved since our first battle, Uncrowned Champion."
/////
[Sevii Islands, Island Seven – Seagallop]
Elsewhere, bobbing gently on the waves, the Seagallop was awash in chaos. Ultima and Lorelei, both fierce and formidable trainers, were fighting off a surging herd of Unown, their Dragonite and Cloyster unleashing powerful attacks.
Lorelei exclaimed, her Cloyster's Ice Beam carving a path through the letter-shaped Pokémon, "This is ridiculous! I intended to follow Red, Blue, and Green to help them, but I can't even get to the tower with these nuisances!"
The Sailor at the helm, struggling to keep the ship steady, yelled over the din, "How did they even get inside, ma'am? The tower's sealed!"
Ultima stated, her gaze distant, focused, "Mewtwo. My powerful vision saw it. Mewtwo transported them in."
*Swf*
Suddenly, with an abrupt flash of light, Blue, Green, Red, Professor Oak, and Green's parents materialized on the deck of the Seagallop, tumbling amidst the frantic battle. They landed in a heap, disoriented and confused, startling Ultima and Lorelei.
Blue stammered, picking himself up, his eyes wide, "What in the…?"
Green cried out, scrambling to her feet, her gaze frantically searching the horizon for the Trainer Tower, "Azure! He's still up there!"
Red's face was grim as he added, "Giovanni… he's going to fight him. Alone."
Green realized, tears welling in her eyes, not from fear, but from helpless rage, "Azure sacrificed himself for us… He used the debt! That idiot!!"
Lorelei looked horrified as she uttered, "He's fighting Giovanni? Alone?!"
Red gripped his fist, his knuckles white as he explained, "Giovanni offered me the chance to become an admin if he beat me. He must have done the same to Azure, making a deal. When Azure won, whatever the bet was, it must have been high stakes. Azure knew this was the only way to get us clear."
Green insisted, stepping toward the railing, "We have to go back!"
Lorelei shook her head firmly, looking equally frustrated at the Unown army in front of them, "Look at that wall of Unown, Green. They are reading our intent. Any action we take will result in an immediate, coordinated counter-attack of seismic proportions. We must formulate a strategy first."
/////
[Sevii Island, Seven Island – Trainer Tower (Unown Battlefield)]
Back atop the Trainer Tower, the wind whipped around Azure and Giovanni as they stood at opposite ends of a spacious, open-air platform. Below them, the vast expanse of the Sevii Islands sea glittered under the encroaching twilight.
*Snap*
Giovanni clapped his hands together, then snapped his fingers with a sharp crack that cut through the wind as he ordered, "Just one last thing left. Unown… give us the battlefield needed for our rematch!"
*SHIII*
*WOOOOOSH*
From the depths of the tower, and seemingly from the very sky itself, countless Unown began to appear, swirling like a living alphabet around the two trainers. These mysterious Pokémon, capable of reading thoughts and desires, were now under Giovanni's calculated control.
Their collective psychic energy surged, distorting the reality around them. The flat, modern rooftop platform began to warp and shift. Walls materialized from thin air, the cold, metallic floor giving way to cracked tiles and a dimly lit arena.
The oppressive, familiar atmosphere of the Viridian City Gym took shape around them, an arena of past glory and bitter defeat for Giovanni. Azure's eyes narrowed, a flicker of caution in their depths. He recognized the trick, the manipulation of reality.
But Giovanni, sensing his opponent's thoughts, merely spread his arms wide, a triumphant, almost theatrical gesture. Giovanni said confidently, a genuine smile replacing his earlier smirk, "Oh, don't fret, Azure. I won't use cheap tricks to defeat you now. No. It would soil my own pride if I did that against the only person who bested me fully on the battlefield. I wouldn't live with myself if I couldn't defeat my opponent at his best."
He looked down at his own hand, flexing his fingers as he grinned smugly, "In this field, I won't have to worry about my health deteriorating, allowing me to give my all to defeat you, Uncrowned Champion."
His eyes, full of a fierce, desperate intensity, locked with Azure's. Giovanni grabbed a Poké Ball from his Belt as he declared, "Now, let our rematch begin! Tyranitar! Crush him!"
*Pop*
A colossal, armored Pokémon materialized with a roar, its scales the color of ancient stone. Tyranitar, with its held item, a [Smooth Rock], glowed faintly. Immediately, its ability, Sand Stream, kicked in.
*Wooosh*
A violent sandstorm erupted, swirling dust and grit across the holographic battlefield, obscuring vision and gnawing at all non-Rock, Ground, or Steel types. Azure, unflustered, calmly reached for his own Poké Ball as he yelled, "Scizor, let's go!"
*Pop*
His gleaming red Scizor, a masterpiece of steel and insectile grace, appeared. It held an [Iron Plate], which shimmered with a subtle metallic glow. The Scizor braced itself against the incoming sand, its steely form gleaming.
Giovanni roared, his voice cutting through the whipping sand, "Tyranitar, Earth Power into Fire Fang!"
*RMBL*
Tyranitar responded with a guttural bellow, slamming its foot onto the ground. The arena floor buckled, sending a tremor towards Scizor…
*Woooosh*
Simultaneously, the mighty Pokémon launched itself forward, its massive jaws blazing with superheated fire for a devastating Fire Fang. The combination was designed to hit hard and fast, exploiting Scizor's Steel/Bug typing, which made it doubly vulnerable to Fire attacks, exploiting its 4x weakness.
Azure's voice, clear and precise, sliced through the storm, "Scizor, Agility! Evade and into Strong Style Metal Claw!"
*Zooooom*
Scizor, a blur of crimson and silver, moved with impossible speed. It sidestepped the erupting Earth Power, narrowly avoiding the treacherous fissures in the ground.
*Wooosh*
The roaring Fire Fang lunged for it, but Scizor, utilizing its burst of Agility, danced out of the immediate danger zone, pivoting sharply. In a flash, its metallic claws elongated and sharpened, glowing with potent energy from the [Iron Plate].
*SHINNG*
With a swift, surgical strike, Scizor slashed across Tyranitar's armored hide. The impact was surprisingly forceful.
*RMBL*
Tyranitar, caught off balance by Scizor's sudden speed and the unexpected power behind the Metal Claw, skidded across a considerable distance, its heavy bulk carving furrows in the holographic ground before it finally halted, shaking its massive head.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed, a glint of surprise in their depths. He watched as Tyranitar recovered, his gaze falling to Scizor's Metal Claw.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed, seeing that the attack shouldn't have done that much damage, and yet it showed. He muttered, a slow realization dawning, "That held item… it boosted Metal Claw more than a Steel Coat… That's why the Steel-type attack was so potent. A well-placed item, Azure, I give you that."
He cracked a grim smile, undeterred by the battle ahead, "But a single boosted attack won't be enough. Tyranitar, Stone Edge! And don't let up!"
*RMBL*
Tyranitar roared, stomping its foot. Jagged, glowing rocks erupted from the ground around Scizor, piercing upwards like deadly teeth.
The sandstorm continued to rage, slowly chipping away at Scizor's health, even as it moved with practiced grace. Azure commanded, his voice unwavering, "Scizor, Double Team to confuse, then Bullet Punch!"
*Woooosh*
Scizor shimmered, splitting into multiple identical images, each one a red streak darting through the sandstorm. The Stone Edges tore through empty space as the copies dispersed into nothing…
*Zoooom*
Then, with an almost imperceptible blur, the real Scizor zipped forward, its metallic fist glowing, striking Tyranitar with a priority Bullet Punch before the colossal Pokémon could react. It was a rapid, precise blow, designed to hit before the next wave of Stone Edge could truly land.
*CLANG*
The Bullet Punch landed with a sharp CLANG sound against Tyranitar's chest, leaving a visible dent in its armored hide. Tyranitar grunted, clearly agitated, but its bulk allowed it to withstand the hit.
The sandstorm continued to batter Scizor, the gritty wind eroding its endurance. Giovanni's smile widened as he uttered, "Good, Azure. Very good. But you're playing my game. Not your smartest move."
*Snap*
He snapped his fingers again as he commanded coldly, "Tyranitar, use Dark Pulse! Aim for the real one!"
*PEW*
Tyranitar's eyes glowed with malevolent energy, and a wave of dark, pulsing force erupted from its mouth, sweeping across the battlefield, targeting the area where Scizor's faint energy signature was strongest. Dark Pulse, a special attack, was a broad, area-of-effect attack that could disrupt Scizor's illusions.
Azure countered, his eyes calculating for the precise moment, "Scizor, U-turn! Hit and run tactics!"
*SMACK*
Just as the Dark Pulse began to spread, Scizor, having taken a moment to assess the situation, darted forward through the swirling darkness. Its body glowed, a powerful force propelling it towards Tyranitar once more.
*CLANG*
It slammed into Tyranitar with another steel-hard strike, a rapid, forceful blow, before retracting back to Azure's side. The Dark Pulse rippled harmlessly through the space where Scizor had been moments before.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed as he thought cautiously, 'It didn't return to its Poké Ball? Azure must have modified the move…'
Giovanni raised an eyebrow, a keen glint in his eye as he asked coldly, "A strategic retreat, now? Changing the tempo, Azure. You've always been one for surprises. But who will it be now? Your iconic partners, perhaps?"
Azure simply exhaled, his gaze still fixed on Giovanni. He grinned with Scizor by his side, grinning smugly as he said boldly, "You'll see, Giovanni. You'll see."
The arena hummed with anticipation, the sandstorm still raging. The battle between the two finally began settling old feuds once and for all…
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 300 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!