Chapter 374: Rematch! Vs. Giovanni! (3)
~Third POV~
[Sevii Island, Sevel Island – Trainer Tower (Unown Battlefield)]
Back on the distorted stage of the Trainer Tower, the Sandstorm had been entirely replaced by the brutal desert heat of the Sunny Day. The battlefield was littered with scorch marks and carved with deep gashes.
Azure, with his Arcanine still present with its stats boost of +4 Speed, +2 Attack, and +1 Evasion. He'd won 2 battles, but the battles were grueling, and his Pokémon were utilizing precious energy.
Giovanni stepped forward, showing no signs of fatigue or annoyance, despite losing two of his best fighters. His gaze was still locked on the [Flame Plate] clinging to Azure's Arcanine's neck as he said calmly, "The power of the Plates is fascinating. To command such raw, concentrated elemental force… You are playing a different game entirely."
He clipped the next Poké Ball off from his belt, ready for the third engagement. Azure replied, feeling the pressure mount, "You have your own secrets, Giovanni. Let's see what you throw at me next."
Giovanni's gaze was hard, analytic. He had seen the [Iron Plate] on Scizor turn its Bullet Punch from a simple priority move into a devastating, armor-piercing piston. He saw the same unnatural aura radiating from the [Flame Plate] on Arcanine.
These strange artifacts were Azure's hidden ace, the source of this inexplicable surge in power. They were a variable Giovanni hadn't accounted for, an insult to his own meticulous preparation, as he thought, 'Where did he find these toys?'
Giovanni mused, his hand moving to his belt, "You have your secrets, brat…"
Giovanni smiled—a cold, confident gesture as he replied with a smug expression, "But experience is a trump card that cannot be held. It must be earned."
He paused, letting the silence draw out the tension, before tossing his third Poké Ball high into the scorching, sunlit air as he declared proudly, "Rhyperior, let's show him the foundation of true power!"
*Pop*
The ground shuddered as the Drill Pokémon materialized. It was a walking mountain of slate-gray armor and magma-orange plates, its horn a wicked drill bit aimed at the sky.
A faint, shimmering green aura pulsed around it—the constant, steady recovery of its held [Leftovers]. Azure's expression, usually a mask of calm focus, tightened.
He remembered this Rhyperior. He'd faced it five years ago, a nigh-unstoppable juggernaut of defense and offense.
A knot of apprehension formed in his gut as he thought calmly, 'That beast had been a challenge then; after five years under Giovanni's ruthless training regimen, it would be a fortress. But then, so had my team grown.'
Azure commanded, his voice sharp and clear, "Arcanine, Strong Style Solar Beam!"
*PEW*
Under the harsh sunlight, there was no need to charge. The [Flame Plate] flared, and Arcanine opened its maw, gathering the ambient solar energy into a crackling sphere of brilliant green. In a heartbeat, it unleashed a torrent of pure light, a beam of concentrated sunfire that screamed across the battlefield.
*BOOOOM*
The beam struck Rhyperior dead-center. The impact was concussive, kicking up a cloud of dust and earth. But when it cleared, the behemoth stood firm, a shallow, steaming crater on its chest plate.
Its Solid Rock ability had blunted the super-effective attack, reducing the blow to a mere annoyance. Giovanni admitted, a genuine note of respect in his tone, "Impressive. That would have crippled a lesser Pokémon. But we are not 'lesser'."
His face hardened as he ordered, "Rhyperior, Rock Polish!"
*THUD*
Rhyperior stomped a massive foot, and its rocky hide began to grind against itself. A shower of sparks flew as it shed its outermost layer, its body becoming smoother, more aerodynamic. Its already formidable presence now carried a new, dangerous edge of speed.
Azure snapped, "Don't let it! Will-o'-Wisp!"
*Sssss*
Arcanine darted forward, its boosted speed making it little more than an orange-and-black streak. A trio of eerie, purple flames bloomed in the air before it, homing in on the colossal Pokémon…
*Zoooom*
But Rhyperior, with its newfound agility, sidestepped. The movement was shocking in its grace, a mountain performing a dancer's pirouette.
The spectral flames hissed past, dissipating harmlessly against a stone pillar. Azure's eyes widened slightly as he murmured in disbelief, "That speed… It's unnatural for a Pokémon of Rhyperior's mass… what kind of training did Giovanni do…"
Giovanni saw the flicker of surprise and savored it. A smug grin tugged at his lips. He had spent five long years reforging his team, burning away the weakness that had led to his defeat at the hands of Red and Azure.
Each of his Pokémon was an instrument of vengeance, honed to a razor's edge. This Rhyperior was merely the beginning. In his mind, he saw the glint of his Beedrill's stingers, the menacing horn of his Nidoking.
They were waiting. They were ready.
Giovanni declared, seizing the momentum, "My turn! Rhyperior, Sandstorm!"
*WOOOOSH*
Rhyperior roared, a sound like grinding continents, and slammed its fists into the ground. The earth bucked, and a furious, swirling vortex of sand erupted from the floor, engulfing the entire battlefield.
The artificial sun that Arcanine had summoned was blotted out, the harsh sunlight fading into a gritty, oppressive gloom. The sand whipped and stung, battering at Arcanine's form while Rhyperior stood placidly within it, empowered by its native element.
Giovanni coldly ordered, "Now, Rock Wrecker!"
*BOOOM*
Rhyperior's drill-horn began to glow with a menacing, condensed light. It lowered its head and fired a colossal boulder wrapped in raw energy. The projectile tore through the sandstorm, a meteor of destruction.
*SMASH*
Arcanine, blinded by the sand and unable to dodge in time, braced for impact. The Rock Wrecker slammed into its side, sending the Legendary Pokémon tumbling through the dirt. It rose, shaking, its majestic fur matted with dust, a deep gouge on its flank.
The damage was severe, but it wasn't out. Azure saw his opening as he commanded, "Rhyperior has to recharge! Arcanine, Reflect!"
*SHINNG*
While the behemoth was locked in place, recovering from the immense energy expenditure, Arcanine barked, "Bark! (On it!)"
A translucent, shimmering barrier of psychic energy materialized in front of Azure's side of the field, a shield against the physical onslaught to come. Then Azure followed up, "Don't let up! Strong Style Fire Spin!"
*Ssssss*
Arcanine spewed a vortex of flame of azure-blue fire that coalesced around the immobile Rhyperior. The fiery tornado tightened, trapping the rock-type and searing its armor, a constant drain on its stamina even as the [Leftovers] worked to mend its wounds and the sandstorm continued to rage…
*BOOOM*
The moment its muscles unlocked, Rhyperior broke free of the Fire Spin with a guttural roar, "RHYYYY!!!"
Giovanni's eyes gleamed with predatory intent. He then commanded, "Close the distance. Horn Drill!"
It was a gambler's move, a one-hit knockout with notoriously low accuracy. But under the sandstorm's cover, with Arcanine's evasion boost potentially negated, it was a gamble Giovanni was willing to take.
*RMBL*
Rhyperior charged, the earth trembling with each thunderous step, its horn glowing with a terrifying, absolute energy. Azure remained calm as he uttered, "Hold your ground, Arcanine. Wait for it… Now!! Use Will-o'-Wisp on my mark."
*Sssss*
Arcanine stood its ground, its body tensed like a coiled spring. The purple flames of the Will-o'-Wisp danced at its maw, ready to be unleashed...
*RMBL*
Rhyperior closed the distance with shocking speed, its horn a blur of lethal intent. It was too close, too fast. Arcanine wouldn't have time to launch the attack and evade. But then Azure made his move.
Azure commanded at the last possible second, "Now! Teleport!"
*Swf*
In a flash of white light, Arcanine vanished. Rhyperior's Horn Drill stabbed through empty air, its momentum carrying it forward.
*Wooosh*
Just as it skidded to a halt, Arcanine rematerialized directly behind it, the Will-o'-Wisp already leaving its mouth. Giovanni scoffed as he already foresaw the tactic countered, "Predictable. Dig!"
*RMBL*
Rhyperior didn't even turn. It simply bent its powerful legs and plunged headfirst into the Unown-created ground, the Will-o'-Wisp splashing harmlessly against the dirt where it had just been. The battlefield was empty save for Arcanine, the swirling sand, and the fresh hole in the earth.
*Shiver*
A chill went down Azure's spine as he thought worriedly, 'A hidden opponent is the most dangerous kind. Gotta find it quick!'
With his quick thinking, Azure quickly commanded, "Arcanine! Use Odor Sleuth! Pinpoint its location!"
*Sniff*
Arcanine lowered its head, its powerful nostrils flaring. It took a deep, shuddering breath, filtering through the grit of the sandstorm, parsing the scent of disturbed earth and the unique mineral signature of Rhyperior…
Its eyes, which had been darting around nervously, suddenly dilated and locked onto a spot just to its left. At that exact moment, the ground erupted…
*RMBL*
Rhyperior burst forth with a triumphant roar, aiming to catch Arcanine in its emergence. Azure yelled, his instincts screaming, "Teleport!"
*Swf*
Again, Arcanine vanished in a flicker of light, escaping the subterranean ambush by a hair's breadth. It reappeared further back, panting lightly.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed, a sly, cunning grin spreading across his face as he made his command, "You're good, Azure. Very good. But reflexes can be deceived. Rhyperior, Rock Wrecker!"
Rhyperior roared, its horn glowing brightly as it prepared to fire another devastating projectile. Azure processed the threat instantly as he thought, 'Rhyperior fast, but it wasn't faster than Arcanine's Teleport. I could dodge this –'
But then he saw it. A subtle shift in Rhyperior's stance.
*Shiii*
The energy gathering at its horn wasn't the chaotic, explosive power of a Rock Wrecker. It was the crackling, grinding energy of something else. That was when Azure realized what Giovanni did…
The command was a lie, a predator's feint.
In the split second Azure registered the deception, Rhyperior's body pulsed with power. It wasn't attacking; it was using Rock Polish again.
Its speed, already shocking, doubled once more. It now moved with a celerity that defied its own physical form, a mountain that could move like the wind.
Azure grit his teeth. He'd been played.
Giovanni had sacrificed a turn not to attack, but to push his Pokémon's speed to an absurd, overwhelming level. There would be no more dodging.
Azure said bitterly, his voice low and determined, "Fine… If we can't outrun it, we'll overpower it. Arcanine, Strong Style Flare Blitz!"
*Sssss*
The [Flame Plate] around Arcanine's neck erupted in a blazing inferno. Cloaked in a nimbus of searing blue-white fire, Arcanine became a living comet.
*ZOOOOM*
It shot across the remaining distance, a head-on charge of pure, untamed power against the newly agile behemoth. This time, Rhyperior did not dodge. It planted its feet, a smirk on Giovanni's face.
*BOOOOOM*
The collision was apocalyptic in epic proportions. A clash of divine fire and immovable stone. Arcanine's Flare Blitz struck Rhyperior's chest, and for a glorious moment, it seemed Azure's strategy would prevail.
The sheer force of the attack drove the half-ton Pokémon backward, its feet gouging deep furrows in the earth. The heat was so intense that Rhyperior's rock armor began to glow cherry-red at the point of impact…
But it held.
Then, with a movement born of its incredible new speed, Rhyperior swung its massive, club-like tail, wrapping it around Arcanine's charging form and arresting its momentum. They were locked, chest to chest, fire against rock.
Arcanine was trapped.
Giovanni stated, his voice devoid of all emotion save for the cold finality of victory, "It's over. Rock Wrecker."
*RMBL*
At point-blank range, with nowhere to run, Arcanine could only watch as Rhyperior's horn ignited. The built-up energy, raw and overwhelming, was unleashed not as a projectile, but as a catastrophic, explosive burst…
*KA-BOOOOM*
The world turned white. The sound was a deafening crack, like a mountain breaking in two, followed by a roar that shook the very foundations of the Unown's illusion.
A massive cloud of smoke, sand, and incinerated earth billowed out from the point of impact. For a long moment, there was only the sound of the whistling wind and the gentle hiss of the subsiding sandstorm…
As the smoke slowly cleared, two figures were revealed. Rhyperior stood tall, its chest armor blackened and cracked, its body smoking…
*Sssss*
A faint, angry red aura now surrounded it—the unmistakable sign of a Burn. The Flare Blitz had left its mark. But it was standing.
At its feet, lying motionless in a shallow crater, was Arcanine. Its proud flame was extinguished, its majestic form still, fainted. The Reflect barrier on his side of the field flickered and vanished. He had lost his first Pokémon.
The momentum had shifted.
Giovanni smirked, the burn on his Rhyperior a trivial price for felling the fiery powerhouse that had commanded the field. The numbers were now 4 to 5, but the psychological victory was his to take.
He had broken through Azure's flawless strategy. He had proven that even with ancient artifacts and incredible power, Azure was not untouchable. The master of the earth had drawn blood. And the battle for the top of the world was far from over.
Azure whispered, retrieving its Poké Ball with a heavy heart, "Thank you, Arcanine... You've done the best you can."
He looked at the scorched, panting Rhyperior, acknowledging its power. It was burned, but still standing despite the battle with Arcanine. Azure took a deep breath, his gaze hardening as he recalled his Arcanine.
He knew what he had to do. Grabbing his next Poke Ball, Azure roared, "Alright, Eevee, it's your turn!"
*Pop*
From the Poké Ball emerged Eevee, its soft brown fur contrasting sharply with the harsh battleground. It wore a simple, unadorned [Blank Plate] around its neck, a testament to its unique nature.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed, a different kind of intensity entering his gaze. He knew this Eevee. This was the Eevee from the infamous Reconstruction Experiment, the one he had planned to exploit for his Thu-Fi-Zer project—fusing the legendary Kanto birds, Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres, into an unstoppable weapon.
But Azure had thwarted him, not only stopping his plans but securing Mew's blessing for Eevee, allowing it to evolve and de-evolve into its myriad forms at will. This Eevee represented Azure's ultimate trump card, a manifestation of his adaptability and refusal to be limited.
Giovanni taunted, though a thread of genuine curiosity underscored his words, "So, you unleash my pet project, do you? Rhyperior, Earthquake!"
*RMBL*
Rhyperior slammed its fists down, a tremor rippling across the Viridian battlefield. But Azure was ready.
Azure ordered his eyes hardened, heard Giovanni's words, "Eevee change into Umbreon! Mimic Reflect!"
*Shiii*
A shimmering green barrier instantly formed around Eevee just as it began to glow. Its form elongated, its fur darkened, and its ears grew longer and sleeker.
*FLASH*
In a flash, Eevee transformed into Umbreon. The Earthquake hit the newly formed Reflect barrier, its power reduced by Rhyperior's Burn status. The barrier flared, dissipating the shockwaves, sending Umbreon leaping into the air.
*Tmp*
The Dark-type Pokémon landed gracefully, its high defensive stats and Reflect rendering the attack almost harmless. Azure commanded calmly, already planning, "Now, Umbreon, time to use Wish!"
*Shiii*
Umbreon's rings glowed softly, a faint, ethereal energy emanating from them, setting up a healing Wish for a later time. Giovanni barked, attempting to overwhelm Umbreon with sheer force, "Rock Blast, Rhyperior!"
Azure countered, "Espeon, Double Team!"
*FLASH*
Faster than the eye could follow, Umbreon shimmered, its dark fur giving way to soft lavender, its elegant form becoming that of Espeon, the Psychic-type Eeveelution. It darted and weaved, creating multiple illusory copies of itself.
*Wooosh*
Rhyperior unleashed a volley of sharp, jagged rocks, striking at the various Espeon, but each one merely dissolved into light. Giovanni's eyes narrowed as he thought, 'His utilizing Espeon's natural foresight ability. He is using Espeon's natural ability of reading the air currents to dodge the attacks…'
Giovanni commanded, frustrated by the illusions, "Stop!"
Azure called, maintaining the offensive, "Jolteon, Hidden Power!"
*FLASH*
Espeon glowed once more, its fur bristling into sharp, yellow spikes, its form transforming into the lightning-fast Jolteon. A sphere of pure energy materialized at its mouth and fired, striking Rhyperior squarely in the chest.
*BOOOM*
The attack, boosted by the [Blank Plate's] latent power, stung Rhyperior, halting its charge and further emphasizing Jolteon's incredible speed, which Azure was now fully utilizing. Giovanni roared, "Earthquake!"
*RMBL*
Rhyperior roared, attempting another Earthquake, seeking to ground the agile Jolteon. Azure anticipated, countered, "Leafeon, Agile Style Razor Leaf!"
*FLASH*
Jolteon shimmered, its sleek form morphing into the verdant, graceful Leafeon. A single, razor-sharp leaf materialized, glowing with concentrated energy…
*BOOOOM*
*CRACK*
Leafeon unleashed it at Mach speed, a single green blur leaf that struck Rhyperior with a startling crack. The ground Pokémon recoiled, stunned, momentarily paralyzed by the precise, powerful strike.
Rhyperior's attempt at Earthquake faltered, the tremors dying before they could fully begin. Rhyperior stumbled, weakened by the constant barrages, the sustained sandstorm, and the lingering burn.
*THUD*
It finally crashed to the ground, its massive form shaking, clearly on the verge of collapse. In the same fluid motion, Leafeon shimmered, reverting to its original, adorable Eevee form, landing perfectly agile and unharmed.
*FLASH*
Rhyperior attempted to push itself back up, a monumental effort for the battered Pokémon. Azure ordered a final, decisive strike, "Eevee, Swift!"
*PEW*
Eevee, its eyes burning with determination, unleashed a volley of sparkling, yellow star-shaped projectiles. They streaked across the Viridian battlefield, each one finding its mark on Rhyperior empowered by its [Blank Plate].
*BOOM*
The cumulative damage, combined with the earlier blows, was too much. Rhyperior shuddered, its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed once more, this time unmoving. It was knocked out.
*THUD*
Giovanni frowned, a rare display of genuine annoyance. He recalled Rhyperior without a word, but then a slow, almost appreciative smile spread across his face as he praised his enemy, "Remarkable. Truly remarkable."
He shook his head slightly as he continued eyeing Azure calmly, "I knew of the Eevee's abilities, of course, but to see it used with such mastery, adapting its form and type to every situation... you've hidden this well. Never once did it display it in public. To reveal it now... it truly shows you are holding nothing back against me."
The battle had just reached another crescendo. Giovanni had lost his third Pokémon, but Azure knew this was far from over. He still had more aces up his sleeve, and Azure had a feeling he hadn't seen Giovanni's full strength either. The distorted Viridian Gym, filled with the echoes of their clash, merely awaited the next act.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!