Chapter 153: Landing
The matter of Giovanni killing Nick, while a violation of the rules, was understood by the Chiefs.
If their own subordinate's betrayal had nearly cost them their lives, they too would have been unable to resist delivering justice. In Team Rocket, killing was a normal, often necessary, part of life. If one couldn't bring oneself to kill, one was better off dead.
Rumors had circulated that Giovanni had been demoted, perhaps even kicked out of the running to be the next leader— but seeing him here, personally escorted by Captain Matt, dispelled those rumors completely.
They understood what it meant to be sent to establish a new base. Matt was taking him to learn, to gain experience. Matt, who had always maintained a neutral stance, was now clearly aligned with Giovanni. This was not a demotion; it was an investment.
Giovanni, for his part, could feel their shifting allegiances— but he sensed no malice from them, so he paid them no mind.
As the plane took off, Giovanni experienced his first flight in this new world. It was surprisingly safe— a plane wouldn't be enough to disturb the legendary Pokémon said to live in the ozone layer, unless if you stupidly do so.
And as for ordinary Flying-types, unless they were at the Elite level, they had no reason to fly thousands of meters high for sport. The safety of air travel far surpassed that of cars or ships.
As long as takeoff and landing went smoothly, all was well.
"This flight will take ten hours," Matt said, noticing Giovanni staring out the window. "You can rest. You have just recovered from your injuries."
Giovanni nodded and closed his eyes, though the Pokémon in his Poké Balls remained vigilant, taking turns standing guard.
The flight was uneventful. After a meal midway, they finally reached their destination: a large, uncharted island on the border between Kanto and the region that would one day be known as Johto.
The plane began its descent, taxiing a few hundred meters from the beach. The roar of its engines aroused the hostility of the island's native Pokémon. From the dense jungle, a massive swarm of Flying-types emerged, their eyes filled with fury as they charged the metal bird.
The co-pilot rushed to the cabin. "Lord Matt, we have incoming hostiles."
Matt slowly stood up. He looked at the masked Giovanni, who had awoken at the first sign of trouble. "Did you hear that? Are your Pokémon fit for battle?"
Giovanni touched the Poké Ball containing Beedrill. He felt it tremble with anticipation. He didn't reply, simply standing up. It was the only answer needed.
Matt clapped his hands, a slight smile on his face as he addressed the Chiefs. "Well then. Let us clear them out."
"Yes!" they replied in unison.
The plane's cabin door opened, and a fierce wind tore through the interior. Below them, a dense cloud of Flying-types swarmed upward: Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Spearow, Fearow, Butterfree, Ledyba, Venomoth, Scyther, Yanma, and even a swarm of wild Beedrill. Normally warring factions, they were now united against a common enemy.
But a disorganized mob, even a large one, is still just a mob.
Matt opened his Poké Ball. His Gym-Leader-level Pidgeot appeared, its massive wings stirring up a gale. Its sharp gaze swept downwards, its powerful aura washing over the wild Pokémon.
The Bug-types faltered. The Pidgey and Pidgeotto stiffened— but the naturally aggressive Spearow and Fearow shrieked defiance, their cries rallying the others. They continued their charge.
A series of sharp clicks echoed as the Chiefs released their own Flying-types.
"Keep them if you can," Matt commanded. "If you cannot, kill them all." He waved a hand. "Go, Pidgeot. Hurricane!"
Pidgeot cried out, a powerful gust of wind blasting from its wings, sending the weaker Pokémon below tumbling from the sky. The Chiefs' Pokémon dove into the fray, a whirlwind of Wing Attacks and Air Cutters.
The wild Pokémon, their instincts ignited, met the assault with unbridled ferocity.
Giovanni lightly pressed the button on his Poké Ball. "Go," he said, his voice cold. "Vent your anger."
Beedrill materialized. The wings on its back began to vibrate, one slightly slower than the other, but it did not affect its power. The scars covering its body only added to its fierce, terrifying aura. It used Focus Energy, its red eyes glowing, its own aura surging.
"HIIISSS!"
The wild Bug-types below froze, their gazes turning from fury to fear. The wild Beedrill, in particular, uncontrollably lowered their heads in submission.
"Go," Giovanni commanded, without a shred of pity. "Agility. Poison Jab."
Buzz!
Beedrill became a golden bolt of lightning. Its twin stingers, glowing with a pale light, were tipped with a black, intensely powerful poison. It was a golden blade cutting through the sky, a blur of motion followed by a symphony of collisions and shrieks.
Every Poison Jab was precise, every strike fatal. The wild Pokémon fell from the sky, some dead before they hit the ground, others struggling feebly before succumbing.
Terrified screams filled the air.
Under the brutal, efficient slaughter of Beedrill and the Chiefs' Pokémon, broken corpses rained down onto the beach, piling up into a small, gruesome mountain.