Chapter 375: Rematch! Vs. Giovanni! (4)
~Third POV~
[Sevii Island, Sevel Island – Trainer Tower (Unown Battlefield)]
Giovanni paused, his gaze sweeping across the distorted Viridian City Gym. Giovanni slowly muttered his voice laced with a new kind of confidence, "Five years, brat…"
He held up a Poké Ball but didn't throw it. Giovanni began to explain to him calmly, "Five years I have spent reforging myself, my team, my entire philosophy. I journeyed to Kalos and mastered the bond of Mega Evolution. I saw your Z-Moves in Tournaments and knew I had to find something more. Something… bigger."
From his pocket, he produced a black wristband adorned with a stark, red 'R'. It pulsed with a strange, crimson light as he continued, "I ventured further, to a land named Galar. A place of giants. A power that, by all rights, should be impossible to wield here."
Azure's eyes, usually calm as the sea, widened in dawning horror. Giovanni's smirk became a triumphant grin as he declared, "You still haven't used your Z-Moves yet, so I'll show you something new that you've never faced before…"
*Pop*
He tossed his fourth Poké Ball, releasing a powerful Nidoking that roared, its [Life Orb] glowing ominously. Azure knew its ability, Sheer Force, turning the orb's self-damage into pure, unadulterated power.
But that wasn't the main threat. Giovanni roared, recalling his Nidoking into its ball as a torrent of red energy erupted from his Dynamax Band, "Within this space created by the Unown, the rules of our world do not apply!"
*SHIIII*
The ball swelled to a colossal size in his hand as he roared, "Here, I can Dynamax my Pokémon while you can't! This is my battlefield for our rematch! Let's see you handle this, Uncrowned Champion!"
*POP*
He hurled the massive Poké Ball. It burst open, and from it emerged a Nidoking of impossible scale. It towered over the phantom gym, its roar shaking the very foundations of the Unown's illusion.
Its shadow fell over Azure, a monstrous eclipse of purple and rage. Azure's mind raced. His first-ever encounter with a Dynamax Pokémon.
He grit his teeth, recalling Eevee into its Poké Ball. He switched for Scizor's Poké Ball as he commanded, "Scizor, stand by!"
*Pop*
Just then, the Wish that Umbreon had set up activated, bathing Scizor in a gentle light that healed its HP back to full with its held item [Iron Plate]. But the healing glow was quickly overshadowed, swallowed by the terrifying, gargantuan form of Dynamax Nidoking that now loomed before them, its eyes burning with destructive intent.
But it was like an ant before a mountain. The sheer scale of Dynamax Nidoking was an act of psychological warfare as Azure thought critically, 'Think, Azure, think! What are its properties? Three turns. Powerful Max Moves with secondary effects. I can't outlast it, and I can't overpower it. I must play around it.'
Azure commanded, "Scizor, Tailwind! Now!"
*WOOOOSH*
Scizor moved with blinding speed, its wings beating a furious rhythm that whipped up a gust of wind, quickening the air for its allies. But it was a fleeting advantage.
Giovanni bellowed, "Max-Flare!"
*SSSSSSSS*
A miniature sun bloomed from the Dynamax Nidoking's maw. A colossal fireball descended, not as an attack, but as an inevitability. It engulfed Scizor a split second after the Tailwind took effect…
*KA-BOOOOOM*
The explosion was deafening, leaving a scorched crater where the Steel-bug type had stood. Scizor was out of the fight in a single, overwhelming blow.
The battlefield was now bathed in Harsh Sunlight, an after-effect that further stacked the odds. Azure recalled his fainted partner, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes as he whispered proudly, "Thank you, Scizor. You did what you had to."
The setup was complete. It had cost him dearly, but it was his only path forward. Azure shouted, throwing the next Ball, "Gengar, your turn!"
*Pop*
The spectral Shiny Pokémon emerged, with its held item [Spooky Plate]. Gengar cackled, seeing the giant figure of Dynamax Nidoking glaring down on it, "Gen! Gar! (Ha! You should've brought more of your giants for I, the one below, hell shall win!)"
Giovanni commanded with a sneer, "Muda! Max-Darkness!"
*SHIIII*
A wave of abyssal energy, vast and suffocating, surged from Nidoking. The giant Nidoking summoned a vortex of pure negative energy, but under the Tailwind's lingering effect, Gengar was a blur.
Azure smiled as he thought, 'Scizor's sacrifice paid off.'
Azure commanded, "Phantom Force!"
*Swf*
Thanks to Tailwind's speed boost, Gengar acted first. It dissolved into thin air, phasing out of reality just as the wave of darkness washed over its position, sparing it from the attack and the special defense drop that would have come with it.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed as he commented, "Clever. But you can't hide forever!"
Nidoking still had a turn of Dynamax power. Giovanni ordered, "Max-Rockfall!"
*RMBL*
Nidoking stomped, and the illusory ground obeyed. A mountain of sharpened stones materialized in the air and crashed down, not aimed at Gengar, but at the entire battlefield. The impact created a massive smokescreen of dust and debris.
*BOOOOM*
Worse, the secondary effect kicked in: a Sandstorm began to rage, whipping grit and stone through the harsh sunlight. A moment later, Nidoking shrank, its Dynamax form fading, panting from the exertion.
But Azure remained a beacon of calm in the chaos. He was two steps ahead as he ordered, "Now, Gengar. Mean Look!"
*SNAP*
From within the swirling sand, a faint purple glow emanated. Nidoking was suddenly trapped, an unseen force binding it to the battlefield. Giovanni grew nervous as he thought cautiously, 'The ghost had vanished, but it was still here. Where?'
Then he saw it. In the shadow cast by Nidoking itself, two malevolent red eyes opened. A grin split the darkness.
It clicked in Giovanni's head. Giovanni demanded, desperate to catch the ghost before it rematerialized, "It's hiding in your shadow! Shadow Ball, now!"
Azure countered, his voice ringing with absolute certainty, "Hypnosis!"
*Shiii*
The speed advantage of Tailwind was paramount. Before Nidoking could fully charge the massive orb of dark energy, Gengar burst forth from the ground beneath it—not fully materializing, but close enough to launch the sleep-inducing wave of energy directly into Nidoking's massive, unguarded face.
*Zzzzz*
The effect was immediate and dramatic. The Nidoking swayed, its awareness instantly diminishing as the wave of sleep took hold. It collapsed in a deafening tremor, its features contorted in sudden slumber.
Giovanni cried out, "No!"
Azure stated, his voice cold and precise, "It's over for him, Giovanni! Gengar, Strong Style Dream Eater."
*POOOF*
With Mean Look preventing any escape and Hypnosis ensuring perfect accuracy, Gengar went to work. It dove into the sleeping Pokémon's mind, siphoning its life force with consecutive attacks…
*POOOF*
Giovanni's desperate pleas for his partner to awaken were lost to the howling sand and Gengar's relentless assault. Without landing a single direct hit on Azure's ghost, the mighty, Dynamax-capable Nidoking was defeated in its sleep.
*POOOF*
As Giovanni recalled his fallen Pokémon, his face a mask of fury and disbelief, Azure made a surprising move. He recalled Gengar as well, saving its strength. The score was now 4 – 2. Azure has 4 Pokémon left, and Giovanni just 2.
Giovanni called forth his living fortress, "Aggron!"
*Pop*
Giovanni's fifth Pokémon was Aggron, a fortress of steel and rock, its held item [Rocky Helmet] promising pain to any physical attacker. Azure eyes narrowed, not underestimating Giovanni's Pokémon the slightest.
Azure countered with his own titan as he tossed a Poke Ball into the air, "I choose you! Dragonite!"
*Pop*
Materalizing out from the Poke Ball was Dragonite. The gentle giant emerged with a powerful cry, its [Draco Plate]humming with draconic energy.
Giovanni commanded, "Aggron! Rock Slide!"
*Swf*
Small portals tore open in the air, raining down a meteor shower of boulders. But Azure's Dragonite was no ordinary dragon.
Azure's response was unconventional, "Dragonite, Twister! Dispel it!"
*FWP*
Dragonite inhaled and unleashed a focused cyclone, flapping its wings to control its Dragon Type Energy. Empowered by the [Draco Plate], the vortex of wind was immense, comparable to a Hurricane.
*WOOOOSH*
It didn't just block the Rock Slide; it caught the boulders and flung them aside, the sheer force of the gale scouring the air clean in its command. In a breathtaking display of power, the Sandstorm was instantly nullified.
In a single move, Dragonite had cleared its path and completely nullified the Sandstorm, the air becoming still and clear once more. Giovanni stared, stunned as he murmured, "How? How did it dispel a weather condition like that?"
A ghost of a smile touched Azure's lips. Azure thought with a flicker of pride, 'He doesn't know. After the Hoenn league, Dragonite spent time training with Rayquaza. As a Dragonair, it could naturally influence the weather. Rayquaza taught it to reclaim and master its ability a hundredfold. It learned from the best.'
His Dragonite had spent months in Hoenn, receiving private lessons from the Master of the Skies itself, Rayquaza. As a Dragonair, it naturally possessed the ability to alter the weather. Under Rayquaza's tutelage, it had not just regained that ability but mastered it.
Azure pressed his advantage, "Dragonite, Hydro Pump!"
*SPLASH*
A high-pressure torrent of water shot towards Aggron. But Giovanni remained calm, seeing the incoming attack.
Giovanni roared back, "Counter with Thunderbolt!"
*ZZZZZT*
A jagged spear of lightning erupted from Aggron's horns, impossibly overpowering the water-type move and continuing onward. Dragonite, with a burst of Agility, zipped out of the path of the bolt, its eyes narrowing.
Azure frowned. Giovanni had trained his Aggron, a Pokémon with notoriously poor special attack, to overpower a super-effective move from his Dragonite. Azure thought cautiously, 'This is no ordinary training. He raised his Pokémon well…'
Azure ordered, "Agile Style Ice Beam!"
*PEW*
Simultaneously, Giovanni countered, "Flamethrower!"
*SSSSS*
The two elemental beams met in an explosion of steam, shrouding Dragonite's vision. Both Trainers' eyes hardened…
*BOOOOM*
From the explosion came the steam, hampering the Trainer's vision. The collision created a massive cloud of steam that instantly blanketed Dragonite's vision.
Blinded, but not panicked.
From the mist, Aggron charged. Giovanni ordered, "Rock Slide!"
*SWF*
From within the cloud, Aggron charged, unleashing another Rock Slide. Dragonite, guided by Azure's voice, "Use Extreme Speed to get out of there, Dragonite!"
*ZOOOOM*
Dragonite maneuvered away, avoiding the worst of the attack. Then Azure commanded, "Hydro Pump, again!"
*SPLASH*
Dragonite twisted away, countering with Hydro Pump again… but simultaneously, Giovanni ordered, "Thunderbolt, again!"
*ZZZZZT*
… only for another Thunderbolt to slice through it. This long-range battle was a stalemate, one that Giovanni had perfectly prepared for.
The pattern was solidifying. Giovanni had created a Pokémon capable of neutralizing Dragonite's long-range special attacks perfectly. Azure frowned as he thought, impressed despite himself, 'He anticipated this. Fine. If that's how it is… There's no choice. We must go in close.'
Left with no choice, Azure ordered, "Dragonite, Power-Up Punch!"
*ZOOOOM*
Closing the distance in a blur, Dragonite's fist glowed with orange energy and slammed into Aggron's steel jaw. From the impact, Dragonite flinched due to the [Rocky Helmet] taking some chip damage, wasting its Hidden Ability Multiscale…
*BOOOOM*
But the hit from Dragonite created a shockwave as Aggron took the hit. The behemoth was lifted from its feet and sent crashing into the illusory gym floor, cratering it. Aggron struggled back up, heavily damaged but still standing.
Giovanni yelled, "Dragon Pulse!"
Azure commanded, "Finish it! Hydro Pump!"
*BOOOOOM*
The beam of draconic energy and the jet of pure water met in the space between them. The resulting explosion was catastrophic, a concussive blast that sent both Pokémon flying backward. When the dust settled, Aggron sagged, the effort of maintaining its special offense against the powerful Hydro Pump too much.
*THUD*
It finally collapsed, the effort overcoming its formidable defense. Aggron did not get up. It had fainted from the impact.
Giovanni said calmly, recalling his Pokémon with a grim nod, "You fought well, Aggron. You wore it down perfectly."
Azure felt a momentary relief, but it was fleeting. Dragonite was damaged, bruised, and fatigued, and the most dangerous threat remained.
Giovanni stated, his hand settling on his final Poké Ball, "Five years, Azure… Five long years I have prepared not just for victory, but for annihilation. You denied me my plans in Kanto, and you will pay for it here and now..."
He looked at Azure, a dangerous glint in his eye. He grinned smugly, declaring, "Now, for my final partner. My first partner."
*Pop*
He threw his last Poké Ball. From it emerged a Beedrill. It hovered menacingly, its stingers dripping with venom. And clutched around its neck was a Pendant necklace, in the middle shone an iridescent stone: a [Beedrillite].
Azure's posture stiffened. He knew what was coming. He ordered, hoping to end it quickly, "Dragonite, Strong Style Dragon Pulse!"
*SSSSSSS*
A torrent of draconic energy surged towards the bug empowered by the [Draco Plate]. But Giovanni was ready.
He had been watching Azure's battles for years. He then grinned smugly, making his counterattack order, "Swords Dance. Use his own trick against him."
*WOOOOSH*
Beedrill began to spin, its wings a blur, its stingers outstretched. It rotated so fast it became a living shield, deflecting the Dragon Pulse around it.
*SHIII*
When the attack subsided, Beedrill was unharmed, its body glowing with a fierce red aura. Its attack power had skyrocketed by +2 Stages.
Azure's frown deepened. Giovanni had taken a page directly from Azure's book, using the speed of the setup move itself for defense.
Giovanni grinned, a truly menacing expression, "Your own tricks, Azure! Did you think you were the only one who adapted?"
Azure's eyes hardened as Giovanni had gotten more powerful. Giovanni was adapting, learning, and turning his own strategies against him.
Azure demanded, needing to end this quickly with a powerful physical attack, "Dragonite, Strong Style Dragon Rush! Full force!"
*ZOOOOM*
Dragonite ascended, gathering its energy for the charge, then dove—a comet of orange fury as the [Draco Plate] fueled its move with power. Dragonite roared, cloaking itself in a blue draconic aura before soaring high into the air and descending like a comet.
Giovanni commanded, "Spin using Agility and evade!"
*Woooosh*
Beedrill became a yellow-and-black blur. It twisted through Dragonite's descent, moving too fast for the bulky Dragon to adjust its trajectory. It sidestepped the plummeting dragon with impossible grace, its stinger glowing a virulent purple
Repositioning itself, Giovanni uttered, "Now, Poison Jab!"
*STAB*
As Dragonite shot past, Beedrill lashed out, sinking its stinger deep into Dragonite's side. The stinger struck Dragonite's flank, delivering a sickening, precise blow as it cried in pain, "DRAOOO!!!"
*CRITICAL HIT*
The move landed a critical hit, thanks to the Hidden Ability Sniper amplifying the damage of the already devastating attack. Dragonite cried out, staggering mid-air, and the poison immediately began to seep into its powerful body.
Azure was surprised seeing this as he used this exact move with his Arcanine against his Alpha Garchomp. Giovanni smirked, seeing his surprise as he mocked, "Anything you can do, I can do as well, boy."
Azure desperately commanded, trying to create distance, "Get some altitude! Extreme Speed, then Dragon Tail!"
*ZOOOOM*
Dragonite beat its wings, climbing fast with Extreme Speed, its tail glowing green. Then pure draconic blue, empowered by the [Draco Plate].
But Beedrill was relentless. Giovanni ordered, "Twist and evade with Agility!"
*WOOOOSH*
Beedrill spun again, effortlessly dodging the sweeping tail. Beedrill dodged the Dragon Tail with another fluid spin as it repositioned itself again.
Giovanni grinned as he barked, "End it with Assurance!"
*Shiii*
It closed the distance in a heartbeat, its drill-like arm glowing with dark energy. The move Assurance doubled in power if the target had already taken damage in the same turn. Dragonite had taken the Poison Jab…
*STAB*
The blow landed with sickening force. Dragonite cried out, "DRAOO!! (It hurts!!)"
Dragonite's flight is faltering. The combination of exhaustion, the critical hit, the poison, and the final devastating blow was too much. The blow was final…
*THUD*
… It fell from the sky, crashing onto the gym floor. The light in Dragonite's eyes faded. The proud dragon fell from the sky, crashing to the ground, defeated.
Azure recalled his partner, his face a mask of grim resolve. He still had the advantage, with Pikachu, Eevee, and Gengar left. But Giovanni's final Pokémon was powered up and had just proven how devastatingly effective it could be.
Giovanni's Beedrill hovered, its stingers ready, the [Beedrillite] still waiting to be activated. Giovanni stood, his Beedrill hovering beside him, its lances dripping with venom. A cold, confident smirk played on his lips.
The man himself smirked, a sliver of genuine victory in his eyes as he said confidently, "It'll take a lot more than this to take us down, Azure. You have 3 Pokémon left. We, however, have yet to reach our ultimate form."
Azure drew the remaining three Poké Balls. His oldest, most trusted partners. Pikachu, Gengar, and Eevee.
Azure replied calmly, looking across the crumbling Viridian arena floor, "You're right, Giovanni. It will."
He pocketed the empty Poké Balls and then drew his Z-Power Ring, adjusting the crystal on his wrist as Azure continued, "But you were mistaken about one thing. I haven't used my Z-Moves yet."
Azure didn't send out Pikachu or Eevee immediately. He waited, letting the dramatic pause fill the silence, focusing his mind not just on the immediate battle, but on the history and bond he shared with his final partners as he thought, 'This is for Kanto. This was for the freedom of my friends…'
Taking a deep breath, Azure stated resolutely, his voice now ringing with the conviction of a true Champion, "We may be unable to Dynamax… but we are not without our own ultimate form either…"
He threw the first ball high into the air as he declared, "Pikachu, let's win this!"
*Pop*
The familiar yellow flash of his first partner materialized, ready to face the towering insect. Pikachu was equipped with the [Light Ball], radiating raw electric power, cried out, "PIKA! (You aren't dealing with the ordinary Pikachu anymore, bug!!)"
With that, both Trainers send out their first partners. Partners who trusted them and journeyed together through the most dangerous and worrying encounters they've been through, and yet came out on top through it all.
The clash of the Kanto's Strongest Trainers is about to begin!
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter! Also, the Boxes and Status have been updated!