Chapter 376: Rematch! Vs. Giovanni! (5)
~Third POV~
[Sevii Island, Sevel Island – Trainer Tower (Unown Battlefield)]
Azure stood opposite him, the quiet confidence that had carried him through his journey to the top. Three of his Pokémon were already down—the fiery loyalty of Arcanine, the steely precision of Scizor, the draconic might of Dragonite—all had fallen to Giovanni's ruthless, calculated assault.
But Giovanni, too, was on his last legs. His battlefield was littered with the ghosts of his own defeated warriors, leaving only his partner, his venomous ace.
Beedrill. It hovered with an unnatural stillness, its golden body taut, its twin lances gleaming. It hadn't taken a single scratch in its dismantling of Dragonite, and the aftermath of that brief, brutal clash had left it glowing with power—its Attack boosted +2, its Speed a terrifying +4 stages higher.
The [Beedrillite] clutched in a specialized band on its leg pulsed with dormant energy, a promise of even greater power yet to be unleashed. Giovanni's voice was a low, smooth rumble, "And so it comes down to the little mouse…"
Giovanni's voice was devoid of arrogance, filled only with the cold certainty of a predator, continued, "You haven't used one of your precious Plates on him. No Plate to bolster his electricity? An oversight?"
Azure's gaze never left the hyper-alert Beedrill. He said calmly, his tone even, "The Plate would have been good. But this…"
He gestured to the small, yellow rodent at his feet. Pikachu's cheeks sparked, and a soft, golden aura emanated from the [Light Ball] it clutched as he continued, "…is far superior. It doesn't just boost his power, Giovanni. It unleashes it."
A smirk touched Giovanni's lips, a flicker of nostalgia in his dark eyes as he muttered, "Just like 5 years ago. Everything is riding on our partners. But this time, the outcome will be different. Once your mascot falls, your team will crumble."
Their eyes locked, and the battle resumed in that silent understanding. Azure commanded, "Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
*Zoooom*
Pikachu became a yellow blur, rocketing across the phantom earth. But Beedrill was faster thanks to its boosts.
Giovanni ordered, his voice barely a whisper, "Double Team."
*Woooosh*
Beedrill's form flickered, splitting into a dozen identical, buzzing specters. Pikachu phased harmlessly through a clone, skidding to a halt in a cloud of dust. The real Beedrill was lost in the swarm.
Azure's mind raced. He couldn't afford a guessing game as he ordered, "Don't let them surround you! Pikachu, Electric Terrain!"
*ZZZZZT*
Pikachu's body erupted in a torrent of crackling yellow energy. It wasn't a wild discharge, but a controlled burst that shot outwards, forming a shimmering, humming dome of electricity that encapsulated the entire swarm of Beedrill clones.
*Zzzzz*
The illusory copies fizzled out like dying embers on contact, revealing the one true Beedrill, now trapped within the electrified cage. The very ground hummed with power, amplifying every electric move to come.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed. The terrain was a double-edged sword; it powered up Pikachu, but also telegraphed Azure's strategy.
Giovanni ordered, "Confine him, then. Toxic Spikes."
*PEW*
Beedrill's stinger glowed a sickly purple. But Azure was a step ahead as he countered, "Magnet Rise!"
*ZZZZZT*
Pikachu squeaked as a magnetic field enveloped it, lifting it gracefully into the air, clear of the venomous caltrops that sprouted from the ground. Now airborne, they had a new problem to take care of.
Azure ordered, wanting to take care of the spikes, "Clear the field! Electroweb!"
*SPAT*
Pikachu spat a net of sticky, electrified silk, which blanketed the Toxic Spikes. The resulting explosion of static and neutralized poison…
*BOOM*
… but this gave Giovanni the perfect opening. Giovanni barked, "Now! Drill Run!"
*ZOOOOM*
In the air, Beedrill became a living projectile, its body spinning, its lances aimed like a deadly drill as it flew right at Pikachu's hovering form. But Azure shouted, "Higher, Pikachu!! Agile Style Fly!"
*FLAP*
With a powerful flap of its tail that somehow defied physics, Pikachu shot straight up, the spinning Beedrill passing harmlessly beneath it. Now holding the height advantage, Pikachu dove, cloaked in the energy of the Fly attack.
*Woooosh*
But Beedrill, with its boosted speed, was a master of aerial acrobatics. It twisted its body with impossible grace, and Pikachu's attack struck nothing but air.
Giovanni seized the moment of Pikachu's descent, "Toxic!"
*SPAT*
A glob of viscous poison shot towards the vulnerable Pikachu. Azure's command was instantaneous, "Electroweb, now! Use it as a springboard!"
*SPAT*
Pikachu fired another web, not at Beedrill, but directly below itself. The web solidified for a split second, a trampoline of pure energy…
*BOING*
Pikachu bounced off it, launching itself sideways and avoiding the Toxic spray by a whisker. As it sailed through the air, Beedrill unleashed its next attack as Giovanni ordered, "Tch! Air Cutter!"
*FWP*
*SHINNG*
Blades of sharpened wind sliced through the air, converging on Pikachu. But Azure grinned as he countered, "Meet it head-on, Pikachu! Agile Style Electro Ball, then push it with Thunderbolt!"
Giovanni's eyes widened, hearing that as he thought, 'This is new. This is a combination I've never seen…'
*ZZZZT*
Pikachu formed a sphere of crackling electricity, but instead of launching it, it held the sphere in front of itself. Pikachu cried out, "Pika-CHUUU!!!"
*ZOOOOM*
Pikachu fired a concentrated Thunderbolt into the back of the Electro Ball. The sphere, supercharged and propelled, became a golden cannonball, moving with blistering, unnatural speed.
It was too fast to dodge. Giovanni's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before barking, "Protect!"
*CLANG*
A green barrier shimmered into existence just as the hyper-velocity Electro Ball slammed into it with devastating power behind. The shield held, but spiderweb cracks of energy raced across its surface before it faded...
Giovanni let out a slow breath but was extremely cautious, seeing the situation as he thought, 'Five years had passed, but Azure hadn't been idle. He was still innovating, still finding new ways to push his Pokémon beyond their known limits…'
Giovanni mused, a sliver of genuine admiration in his voice, "To think you could devise such a combination… Only you, Azure, could draw out that much potential from such a common Pokémon."
Azure countered, his praise equally sincere, eyeing his Beedrill, "And only you could turn a Beedrill into a monster that could take down a Dragonite without a scratch. I'm not that rookie trainer from five years ago, Giovanni. I've grown."
The pleasantries were over. The battle's intensity ratcheted up again.
Azure commanded calmly with a knowing grin plastered on his face, "Time for a surprise, Giovanni! Pikachu! Quick Attack, combine it with Thunderbolt!"
*ZZZZZT*
Pikachu charged, not in a straight line, but in a wide circle, trailing electricity like a comet's tail. The energy coalesced, forming a massive, spinning ring of lightning which it then hurled towards Beedrill.
*Wooosh*
Giovanni smirked as he countered, "Neat trick. Poison Sting!"
*PEW*
Beedrill fired a single, purple dart. It acted like a lightning rod, and the massive electric ring immediately changed course, homing in on the decoy.
But Azure anticipated this. Azure said calmly, a sly grin on his face, "I learned my lesson last time! Pikachu, Iron Tail! Split it!"
*SHINNG*
Pikachu's tail glowed with a metallic sheen as it whipped around, striking its own electric ring. The attack didn't dispel the ring; it cleaved it.
*ZZZZZT*
The single ring became three smaller, equally potent rings. One followed the Poison Sting as planned, detonating harmlessly away from the field…
*BOOM*
*ZOOOOM*
The other two, however, continued their relentless trajectory toward Beedrill. Giovanni's eyes flashed with annoyance at being outplayed as he countered, "Cut!"
*SHINNG*
Beedrill's lances became silver blades, slashing through the air and neatly slicing both incoming rings in half, dissipating them. But in that moment, Beedrill was stationary, its attack focused on defense.
It was the opening Azure had been waiting for as he roared confidently, "Now! Extreme Speed into Strong Style Iron Tail!"
*ZOOOOOM*
Pikachu vanished. Not a blur, but a complete disappearance, reappearing an instant later directly in front of the stunned Beedrill. The momentum from the Extreme Speed was channeled directly into the Iron Tail, turning the glowing appendage into a silver sledgehammer…
*CRACK*
… There was no time to dodge, no time for Protect. The tail crashed into Beedrill's thorax with a sickening crack of metal on exoskeleton.
*THUD*
Beedrill was sent careening towards the ground, slamming into the Electric Terrain with a violent spasm as the ambient voltage coursed through its body. But even as it fell, even as it took the brutal blow, Giovanni's will be absolute.
Giovanni roared, "Roost!"
*SHIII*
As it slammed into the phantom dirt, Beedrill forced itself into a resting pose for a split second. A faint green light enveloped it, knitting together the damage from the attack, restoring a portion of its stamina.
It rose, battered and sparking from the terrain, but very much still in the fight. Both trainers were breathing heavily now; their minds locked in a frantic chess match where the pieces were alive and crackling with power.
/////
[Sevii Islands, Meanwhile, Seven Island– Seagallop]
Far below the reality-warped summit, another battle raged on the churning waves of the Sevii Islands. The deck of the Seagallop ferry was a scene of controlled chaos. Lorelei's Ice Pokémon created walls of frost to hold back the tide, while Ultima coordinated the defense with her Dragonite.
But the brunt of the assault fell to the three young Kanto Dex Holders. Red, Blue, and Green stood back-to-back, their faces grim with exhaustion and streaked with grime. Hordes of Deoxys duplicates, shimmering and ethereal, swarmed the ship, their psychic attacks relentless.
*SPLASH*
Green shouted, her Blastoise's Hydro Pumps blasting three clones into nothingness, "There are too many of them!"
*SSSSSS*
Blue retorted, his Charizard incinerating another wave with a sweeping Flamethrower, "We can't keep this up forever! We need to get to Azure!"
*WOOOOSH*
Red's eyes, burning with an unshakeable resolve, scanned the battlefield as Saur used Razor Leaf, fending off the next wave as he yelled, "We're not going to win by holding back. We end this now. Together!"
A silent understanding passed between them; a bond forged in rivalry and fire. They raised their heads at the last wave of Deoxys Duplicates.
Red roared, "Saur, get ready! Frenzy Plant!"
Blue commanded, "Charizard, let's go! Blast Burn!"
Green cried, "Blasty! Hydro Cannon!"
The three Kanto starters, paragons of their types, unleashed their ultimate power in perfect synchrony…
*RMBL*
Massive, thorny vines erupted from the sea, ensnaring dozens of clones…
*SSSS*
A colossal explosion of pure fire engulfed the sky, vaporizing another swarm…
*SPLASH*
A torrent of unstoppable water, fired with the force of a geyser, smashed through the remaining ranks…
*BOOOOM*
The combined elemental fury was absolute. The air cleared, and the swarms of duplicates finally vanquished.
Wasting not a second, they returned their exhausted partners. Red yelled, leaping onto his Mega Aerodactyl, "Aero, let's fly!"
*Fwp*
Blue vaulted onto the back of his Zapdos…
*Fwp*
Green summoned her majestic Moltres.
*Fwp*
They took to the skies, streaking towards the distorted peak of the Trainer Tower. Hope surged in their hearts. They were close. They could save him.
*Wooosh*
But as they approached the summit, a figure descended from the swirling vortex of Unown. It was sleek, alien, and radiated an aura of immense power. The real Deoxys.
*SHIII*
Before they could even issue a command, Deoxys crossed its arms. A translucent, emerald-green barrier of psychic energy materialized around the entire rooftop, shimmering with incomprehensible force—the Delta Shield.
*BANG*
Red's Aerodactyl slammed into it, rebounding with a pained screech. Blue's Zapdos unleashed a thunderbolt that simply dissipated against the shield's surface. Green's Moltres bathed it in fire, but the flames licked harmlessly off the psychic wall.
They were locked out. Powerless to intervene, all they could do was watch in rising horror as the silhouettes of two trainers and their Pokémon faced each other on the other side of the impenetrable barrier.
/////
[Sevii Island, Sevel Island – Trainer Tower (Unown Battlefield)]
Back on the Unown Battlefield, both trainers focused intently on the battle, the air thick with anticipation and the residual crackle of electricity. Pikachu by Azure's side and Beedrill on Giovanni's side.
Giovanni's eyes narrowed, a flicker of concern crossing his usually impassive face. He muttered, reaching his hand over his 'R' breast pocket showing his Key Stone, "It's time… Beedrill, we will show him our true strength!"
*SHIII*
A keystone, embedded in Giovanni's breast pocket, began to glow. Beedrill, gathering its remaining strength, let out a defiant cry. The [Beedrillite] around its neck pulsed with an intense light, connecting with the keystone's energy.
Giovanni roared, his voice echoing through the Unown-distorted stadium, "It's time, partner!! Mega Evolve!"
*SHIII*
Beedrill was enveloped in a column of swirling light. Its form began to shift, growing sleeker, more aggressive. It's already sharp stingers elongated and became even more menacing, with new, smaller stingers emerging from its legs. Its eyes glowed crimson, and its wings became narrower, sharper, allowing for even greater aerial maneuverability.
When the light faded, Mega Beedrill hovered, radiating an aura of raw, untamed, fierce power. Its new ability, Adaptability, subtly intensified its presence, promising devastating STAB attacks.
*Shiver*
Azure felt a familiar chill running down his back. He had seen Mega Evolution before and understood its power. But this was Giovanni's partner, honed by years of battle, now reaching a new peak.
Azure cautioned, though his own partner was already crackling with renewed energy, sensing the shift in the battle's intensity, "Pikachu, stay alert!"
Giovanni's smirk returned, wider than before as he commanded, "Now, Azure. Witness the true might of my partner. Mega Beedrill, Drill Run!"
*ZOOOOM*
Mega Beedrill became a blur, shooting towards Pikachu with incredible speed. Its stinger-drill spun with terrifying force, aiming for a direct hit.
Azure reacted instantly as he countered, "Extreme Speed, then Iron Tail to parry!"
*Zoooom*
Pikachu darted forward, meeting the Drill Run head-on with its glowing steel-hard tail. The clash sent a shockwave through the air, vibrating the very ground beneath them…
*BOOOM*
Pikachu, despite the [Light Ball's] boost, was pushed back; the force of the Mega Beedrill's attack was immense. Giovanni commanded, pressing the advantage, "Now, Bedrill Poison Jab!"
*STAB*
Before Pikachu could fully recover, Mega Beedrill's arm-stinger glowed purple, lashing out with blurring speed. It connected with Pikachu's side, embedding itself for a split second with shocking speed.
Pikachu cried out, a jolt of pain tearing through it, and a sickly purple sheen appeared on its fur – it was poisoned, "Pika!!!"
Azure exclaimed, his heart clenching, "Pikachu!"
He knew Mega Beedrill's speed and power were phenomenal, especially with its new ability, Adaptability. But Giovanni didn't let up as he continued the pressure, "Don't let up, Beedrill! Twinneedle!"
*Zoooom*
Mega Beedrill, without missing a beat, aimed its two primary stingers at Pikachu, who was now reeling from the poison and the continuous assault. Azure yelled, desperation creeping into his voice, "Electroweb, now!"
*SPAT*
Pikachu, with a burst of defiance, spun and hurled a sticky web of electricity. It snagged one of Mega Beedrill's stingers, momentarily tangling it…
*STAB*
The other Twinneedle still pierced Pikachu's shoulder, causing another cry of pain. Azure praised, trying to rally his partner, "Excellent, Pikachu! Now, Pika Papow!"
*ZZZZZT*
Pikachu, shaking off the agony, unleashed a powerful wave of electricity from its entire body. The raw, untamed current engulfed Mega Beedrill, causing it to shriek and recoil, momentarily stunned.
The Electric Terrain flared, amplifying Pika Papow's power. Mega Beedrill, though damaged, seemed to shake off the pain faster than expected.
Its crimson eyes narrowed. Giovanni ordered coldly, "You may have power, but my Beedrill has speed! Air Cutter!"
*SHINNG*
Mega Beedrill rapidly flapped its razor-sharp wings, sending a volley of air blades slicing through the air towards the dazed Pikachu. Azure shouted, "Protect!"
*CLANG*
Pikachu, with Herculean effort, summoned a shimmering green barrier just as the Air Cutters connected, deflecting them with a series of dull thuds. The shield shimmered and cracked, indicating the immense force it had withstood.
But the effort took its toll; Pikachu swayed, its breathing ragged, the poison visibly weakening it. The Electric Terrain, too, seemed to falter around it.
Giovanni goaded, a cruel smile forming as he boasted, "Don't just defend! My Beedrill won't let up! Follow up with X-Scissor!"
*ZOOOOM*
Mega Beedrill's forearms crossed, glowing with a vibrant green energy, and it surged forward, aiming for a devastating blow. Azure's mind raced as he thought, 'Pikachu was too slow, too weak, too poisoned to dodge effectively. A direct hit from X-Scissor would be devastating… but…'
He looked at his partner's determined expression. Seeing his partner's expression, Azure's aura flickered bright…
*SHIII*
The battle instantly intensified. Mega Beedrill, a whirlwind of speed and lethal strikes, proved almost impossible to track. Pikachu, despite its [Light Ball] and the Electric Terrain, found itself struggling.
Mega Beedrill's attacks were relentless, its Poison Jabs connecting with alarming frequency. And with Pikachu poisoned, it struggled against the assault but continued to battle, ignoring the pain.
Giovanni, seeing Azure's ace struggling, a satisfied grin spread across his face as he boasted proudly, "Yes! You feel the pressure, don't you? This is the true power of the Leader of Team Rocket!"
Yet, even in his triumph, a flicker of curiosity crossed his mind. Azure was being pushed, but he still felt… a reserve of power.
Giovanni mused, a new excitement stirring within him, "He's holding back. And yet I feel his building power within himself through my Viridian Force…"
Azure, indeed, was being pushed to his absolute limits. He watched Pikachu, his oldest partner, struggle against the unleashed might of Mega Beedrill. He recalled countless battles, moments when they had been pressed, pushed back, and faced seemingly insurmountable odds.
But unlike those early days, Azure was no longer a rookie trainer. He had trained alongside his partners, not just commanding them, but experiencing the struggle with them. He closed his eyes for a brief, transcendent moment, taking a deep, calming breath.
*SHIII*
A faint, azure aura began to swirl around him, an inner phenomenon that had only ever manifested in moments of extreme pressure, of absolute, critical importance. He had unconsciously used it during the past against hard battles, too focused on the battle to fully grasp its nature.
*Bdmp*
But now, with Pikachu's struggle, with Giovanni's overwhelming power, Azure didn't let go. He embraced it as his heartbeat loudly. The bond between him and Pikachu, forged through years of adventure, of shared joy and hardship, surged.
*Bdmp*
At the same time, Pikachu felt Azure's aura. Its eyes snapped open, crying out, "PIKA!! CHUUUU!!!!"
*BOOOOM*
Unleashing its full power, Pikachu released the electricity in its body as it halted Mega Beedrill from approaching, canceling its next attack. And in the process, a pop-up screen showed as Azure's eyes were closed.
[Pikachu healed its Poison out of sheer determination, so you wouldn't worry!]
*Zzzzz*
A surge of energy flowed between them, a powerful connection that transcended the physical realm. Pikachu began to glow with an intense, golden light. Its fur bristled with electricity, its power amplified beyond its normal limits.
[Ding!]
[User has subconsciously –]
But before the screen could fully explain, it froze. Azure opened his eyes as he thought excitedly, 'No. Not this time.'
Azure inhaled deeply, closing his eyes, reminding this sensation, feeling the pressure, the fear, and the unyielding trust radiating from his partner. A faint aura swirled around his body, distinct from the Z-Power, yet complementary.
This time, he didn't unconsciously achieve the bond; he embraced it. He held the sensation, letting the energy surge not just into Pikachu, but into himself.
*FLASH*
He opened his eyes, now burning with the golden light of the established Bond Phenomenon. Simultaneously, Pikachu exploded in a brilliant corona of golden electricity, its standard power amplified to unprecedented levels.
In doing so, the text pop-up screens changed. And this time, Azure read it clearly as day with a happy grin on his face.
[User has achieved Bond Phenomenon!]
[User has activated [Battle Bond] skill!]
[Partner Pikachu's hidden potential has been unlocked!]
[New skill awakened: [Battle Bond]!]
[Battle Bond: By using the Bond Phenomenon, a transformation affecting Pokémon. Using [Battle Bond] with the User's Pokémon, the Pokémon's hidden potential will be temporarily unlocked, and only certain Pokémon will have a form change during this state. Only usable with Pokémon the user has a close connection to, but will feel the same pain as his Pokémon endures.]
[Pikachu's levels are temporarily rising!]
[Lv.84… 88… 94… 100… 102…]
Azure grinned his eyes now, a brilliant golden light reflecting within them, mirroring the explosive aura that now enveloped Pikachu. The little Pokémon wasn't just glowing; it was radiating raw power, its fur bristling with golden electricity…
The Bond Phenomenon.
Giovanni watched, utterly shocked, a rare genuine surprise etched onto his face. He had heard whispers of such a phenomenon, but to witness it firsthand, from Azure and his Pikachu… it was almost unthinkable.
Azure reached for his belt, his hand unerringly finding the Pikanium-Z Z-Crystal. He held it up, the crystal shimmering, resonating with Pikachu's amplified power. He flipped his hat backwards, a rare, confident grin spreading across his face, a silent promise to his partner, preparing to end this battle.
Azure's voice, now imbued with a newfound power, boomed across the Unown-created arena, "Giovanni! This is it! The next attack… will finish it!"
Giovanni, regaining his composure, felt an equally potent surge of exhilaration. This was the clash he had craved, the true test of their rivalry as he replied, "Excelsior, Azure! Then let us put everything into this next blow!"
Filled with an indomitable passion, Azure raised his arm, the Pikanium-Z glowing fiercely as he declared, "Pikachu! Z-Move!! Catastropika!"
At the same instant, Giovanni roared, his voice thick with unbridled ferocity, "Mega Beedrill! Full Power! Giga Impact!"
*ZOOOOOM*
The two fired-up Pokémon became blurs of light and fury. Pikachu, a living bolt of golden lightning, launched itself forward, a supercharged Z-Move building within its core. Mega Beedrill, a drill-like projectile of pure, concentrated power, roared its defiance as it dove headlong, attempting to pierce the heavens…
*KA-BOOOOOM*
The impact was a cataclysmic explosion of light and sound. Catastropika met Giga Impact in a literal head-to-head collision, a struggle of wills, of sheer power, of unbreakable bonds. The very air warped and screamed, the area trembling around them...
Both pushed, their trainers roaring encouragement, pouring every ounce of their remaining energy into this final, decisive blow. The force of the clash was immense, pushing both Pokémon violently backwards.
*WOOOOSH*
Mega Beedrill, its body flickering, let out one last, determined roar, a guttural sound of defiance. But then, slowly, agonizingly, its powerful wings faltered. It keeled over, crashing hard onto the shimmering floor, unconscious.
*THUD*
At the same time, Pikachu, enveloped in a fading golden aura, cried out, though the sound was weak and strained. Its small body trembled, every muscle screaming in protest. It stood for a moment, swaying precariously, its vision growing blurry, the world spinning.
*THUD*
Then, with a final, valiant effort to stay conscious, Pikachu's legs gave out, and it collapsed, falling silent amidst the echoes of the epic battle. The Unown began to swirl again, their reality-distorting power momentarily disrupted by the raw energy unleashed.
The battlefield, destabilized by the simultaneous faints and the lack of a dominant controller, began to crack. The Unown swarm, disrupted by the sudden, violent draw, dispersed, their combined psychic energy fading.
*CRACK*
The world that Unown created… Cracked.
/////
[Sevii Island, Sevel Island – Trainer Tower]
The Viridian Gym shimmered, threatening to dissolve back into the cold, hard top of the Trainer Tower. The air hung heavy, thick with exhaustion. The silence that followed was absolute, broken only by the ragged breaths of the two trainers.
The battle was over. However, the consequences were yet to unfold.
Azure stood motionless, catching his breath, the heat of the fierce battle slowly receding as he recalled his partner whispering, "You did good, buddy. You did well."
Giovanni stood opposite him, breathing heavily. He looked down at the fainted form of his partner, Beedrill, then slowly looked up at Azure, his eyes conveying a complex mix of frustration and profound respect.
He recalled his Beedrill praising for its efforts with a genuine proud grin, "You've done well, partner. You managed to force that mouse to a draw."
Giovanni said bluntly, "I lost."
It wasn't a concession of defeat; it was a simple statement of fact as he continued, "You and that Pikachu… you have a connection that transcends simple training. It is a power I can appreciate, but never replicate."
He straightened his suit jacket. He glanced towards the edge of the tower as he continued, "You won the battle. But…"
Giovanni studied Azure with intense curiosity, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. Giovanni stated flatly, the bitterness evident in his cadence, "Another loss. In the end, it was a stalemate, but I consider your ability to draw with my best a victory for you."
He paused, his expression shifting from anger to calculation as he asked, "That sudden surge of power. That terrifying speed, the transformation. What was it? It happened the first time we battled, and it just happened again."
Azure sighed, trying to steady his breathing. The weariness was heavier than any physical injury. Azure managed, his voice hoarse, "It's something I've learned, Giovanni. A power that has only happened 3 times in my life in the hardest battles. Twice against you, and one against the villains in Hoenn. I'm still trying to grasp that power myself…"
He trailed off, knowing he had explained enough. Giovanni merely stared, stunned by the implication of Azure possessing a power he couldn't replicate or control.
But then, his gaze shifted past Azure's exhaustion to the immediate surroundings. Giovanni said calmly, a triumphant gleam returning to his eyes, "Despite failing to defeat you in battle, Azure… I have achieved my true goal."
A massive, transparent force field—the Delta Shield—suddenly shimmered into existence near the edge of the platform, instantly halting the approach of three figures being carried by powerful flying Pokémon. Red, riding Mega Aerodactyl, blue on Zapdos, and Green on Moltres, were trapped outside the barrier, pounding furiously on the psychic wall.
*Swf*
Immediately, a new form materialized beside Giovanni. This was not a clone. The real Deoxys, pulsating with celestial power, stood beside the Team Rocket leader.
Giovanni stated, savoring the moment as he said calmly, "You are spent. Your strongest Pokémon have fainted. Your allies are restrained. While you were occupied in our rematch, I ensured that my newest partner would be ready."
Deoxys shifted into its Defense Form, the psychic energy radiating off it overwhelming. Giovanni gazed at the exhausted Azure as he stated boldly, "I claim this victory, Azure Sky. With you restrained and exhausted, no one can thwart my plans now."
Giovanni placed a hand on Deoxys's shimmering shoulder. He then ordered, "Good luck. Teleport."
*SWF*
In a flash of blinding light, Giovanni and Deoxys vanished from the top of the Trainer Tower. The Delta Shield holding the Kanto Dex Holders back faded instantly.
Red screamed, sending Mega Aerodactyl diving toward the platform, "Azure!"
Blue and Green followed close behind, leaping from their Legendary Birds as they landed. Green demanded, rushing to Azure's side, seeing the beads of sweat that coated him and the deep, tired look in his eyes, "Are you alright? What happened?"
Azure offered a tired smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he replied casually, "I'm fine. Just… tired."
*RMBL*
The victory was short-lived. The entire Trainer Tower lurched violently.
Dust showered down from the ceiling. Blue asked, alerted, looking around nervously, "What was that?"
A synthesized voice, sharp and furious, filled the air, echoing the structure's imminent collapse, "TARGET ACQUIRED. AZURE SKY. THREAT LEVEL OMEGA REMAINS. RE-INITIATING SECURITY PROTOCOLS."
*BEEP*
R, the computer system that controlled the tower, had come back online, overriding the damage dealt by the earlier infiltration. R gloated, its voice grating and static-filled, "THE FOOLISH HUMAN, CARR, MAY HAVE GIVEN ME CRASS PROGRAMMING, BUT MY CORE DIRECTIVE REMAINS: ELIMINATE EXTERNAL THREATS. YOU THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT GIOVANNI AND LEAVE HIS BASE OF OPERATIONS STANDING? AS LONG AS I HAVE POWER, YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE, TRAINER AZURE!"
*POP*
From the opening below, heavy, metallic grinding sounds announced the approach of massive, mechanical weapons. Large, multi-limbed drones armed with electric cannons began to ascend, determined to halt the weakened Azure…
*Pop*
Red immediately hurled a Poké Ball, summoning his sturdy Saur, ready to cover Azure as he roared, "Oh great, this thing again!!"
Azure sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. He was well-versed in the lore of this island. Carr, the Rocket Admin, always had terrible, dramatic fail-safes.
Azure said tiredly, raising a trembling hand to halt the attack, "Stop, Red. Save your strength. Don't waste it on these toys."
Azure reached into the deepest pocket of his jacket, retrieving his Master Ball. Azure thought calmly, observing the situation, 'I knew this part of the story arc would replay. Gotta destroy a raging AI it seems…'
He pressed the release button. The Master Ball opened with a sudden, silent rush of power, revealing the legendary being within.
*Pop*
Mewtwo materialized. Its immense psychic presence instantly blanketed the entire tower, silencing the roaring storm outside and the chattering mechanical defenses below. Mewtwo's eyes, fierce and intelligent, locked onto the incoming mechanical threat.
*SHIII*
It waited only for a moment of silence, then unleashed a blast of pure, unadulterated psychic force. The Psychic Blast hit the first wave of machines—the drones—with the force of a supernova, instantly vaporizing the metal and circuitry.
R's screech of protest was cut short as Mewtwo lifted Azure with a gentle psychic lift, stabilizing him. R shrieked, its voice breaking up as the tower began to shake more violently, "IMPOSSIBLE! M2 BIND ARMOR DEPLOYING! RESTRAIN THE ASSET! RESTRAIN THE LEGENDARY!"
*WOOOOSH*
From the shattered remains of the tower's lower structure, massive, segmented plates of specialized restraining armor began to fly upward, attempting to enclose Mewtwo as they had done once before. Azure looked at the incoming, heavy metal pieces, then down at the swaying tower structure beneath them.
He looked up at Mewtwo, who was awaiting instruction, its power absolute. Azure ordered, his voice suddenly hard and clear, cutting through his exhaustion, "Mewtwo. Cut down the Trainer Tower. Destroy R."
Mewtwo gave a sharp nod, 'Worth pleasure.'
*SHIII*
In its hand, a massive, shining psychic spoon materialized—a concentrated symbol of its focused psychic might. With a single, fluid motion, Mewtwo sliced through the foundations of the tower.
*SHINNG*
There was no sound of tearing metal or shattering concrete. The slice was instantaneous, clean, and silent. The entire upper half of the Trainer Tower shifted slightly, then began to groan as it tilted and collapsed into the ocean below, taking the residual power core and R with it.
*BOOOM*
The Dex Holders looked on in awe, covered in spray and dust, as the symbol of Team Rocket's control vanished into the deep. Red, Blue, and Green gathered around Azure, who was now leaning heavily against his Eevee, Gengar floating anxiously nearby.
Mewtwo hovered protectively above them, its psychic energy still high, having expended very little power. Red said bluntly, concern etched on his face, "Azure, you look terrible, man… what happened?"
Azure managed a tired, crooked smile as he tried to explain in a tired voice, "I've been through worse, trust me. Just a bit of feedback from this Pikachu thing. Eevee and Gengar are all I have left for now."
Green placed a reassuring hand on his arm as she said softly, "We'll get you healed up. The important thing is we are all safe, and the Professor and our parents are fine."
Azure closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his diminishing strength. He looked out over the churning water where the tower once stood.
Azure stated, his voice gaining a hard edge of grim determination, "Giovanni is still at large. And he has Deoxys. The fight with him isn't over yet, not by a long shot. We need to track him down, and we need to be ready for whatever comes next."
Despite Azure winning the battle, he knew this battle with Team Rocket wasn't over by a long shot. Azure eyes narrowed as he thought, clenching another Master Ball in his pocket, 'Bout time I use my trump cards. The battle isn't over yet, Giovanni!'
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter! Hopefully, you guys like the rematch, and no worries, this is merely a Phase 1 Boss Fight. Phase 2 will involve Mewtwo and Deoxys soon enough.