Chapter 155: Total Annihilation
The Twister, like a roaring beast, swept toward the Yanmega with destructive power, the swirling currents pulling at everything around them. The Yanmega felt an unprecedented threat.
It flapped its wings desperately, attempting to escape the terrifying vortex, but under the full power of Pidgeot's attack, its struggles were futile.
The Twister easily engulfed it, the immense wind force tearing at its body. The Yanmega shrieked in agony as its body twisted and deformed, insectoid blood spraying from its wounds. To escape its predicament, it unleashed its strongest move: Ancient Power.
Massive rocks formed within the vortex, their dense mass resisting the pull of the hurricane. The rocks pulsed with a primeval energy that strengthened the Yanmega's own power. With a defiant roar, it fired the ancient stones, shattering the Twister from within.
Pidgeot deftly dodged the debris, giving its opponent no time to breathe. It flapped its wings and unleashed another Air Slash. The Yanmega, having just escaped the Twister, was overwhelmed by the continuous assault. It dodged a few of the aerial blades but was eventually struck, losing its balance and plummeting to the ground.
When the storm dissipated, the Yanmega lay on the beach, covered in wounds, barely alive. Pidgeot slowly descended beside it, its sharp eyes examining its victory. If not for Matt's unspoken command, it would have devoured the defeated Pokémon without hesitation.
With the retreat of their powerful leader, the remaining wild Pokémon scattered, fleeing back into the jungle. Several of the Chiefs were about to order a pursuit, but Matt stopped them. "Do not be hasty. We have plenty of time. Let us land."
"Yes, Lord Matt," they replied.
The plane slowly descended, landing safely on the beach.
"Prepare to disembark," Matt commanded. "Establish a safe zone immediately. Then, have a team collect any Pokémon that are not yet dead. Ignore the severely injured; do not waste medical resources." After giving the order, he walked off the plane with Giovanni.
He looked down at the dying Yanmega, raised his hand, and tossed a Poké Ball. The creature, having no strength left to resist, was captured with ease.
Giovanni glanced at the insect corpses littering the ground and waved to Beedrill. "Go. Enjoy your feast."
Beedrill vibrated its wings, flying to each corpse. With surgical precision, it pierced their poison sacs, extracting them before opening its ferocious mandibles and devouring them one by one.
Matt was not surprised. It was natural for Pokémon to improve by consuming resources from their own kind. And Giovanni's Beedrill was so powerful, it was only logical it would have some unique traits. The Team Rocket grunts disembarking from the plane, however, felt their scalps tingle at the continuous, wet, gnawing sounds.
Beedrill only returned to Giovanni's side when it could eat no more. Its eyes were a terrifying red, a dense, fierce aura emanating from its body. Giovanni recalled it to its Poké Ball. "Rest."
Matt did not recall his Pidgeot. "Keep watch," he instructed it. "You may rest once the initial safe zone is established." The Pidgeot nodded and took to the skies again.
"Now is not the time for research," Matt said to Giovanni. He gestured to the disembarking grunts. "The Boss wants you to observe, so you will learn from the beginning. No matter the location, establishing a base always begins with a safe zone."
"Understood," Giovanni nodded.
Matt turned and barked another order. "Gather these Pokémon corpses. Those with Ice-types, freeze them for preservation."
"Yes, sir!" Several grunts stepped forward, releasing their Pokémon. A wave of cold air washed over the beach, and soon, the pile of corpses was encased in a mountain of ice. "Build a temporary cold storage."
On the first day, there was no rush to choose a permanent site. The plan was to demarcate a safe zone and then gradually penetrate deeper into the island, eventually conquering it completely. Wild Pokémon meant there would be no shortage of water. Once that was guaranteed, everything else would be easier.
Matt's subordinates worked with brutal efficiency, quickly setting up the perimeter. Squad leaders took their teams to stand guard in shifts. Temporary quarters for medical personnel and chefs were erected. The high-end electronic equipment, more valuable than the lives of the grunts, remained on the plane, protected from the elements.
Upon arriving at a new location, the first order of business was always a meal. The cooks made good use of the freshly acquired Pokémon meat, adding it to the rations. After eating, the men were full of a warm, savage energy.
Giovanni was a shadow, staying close to Matt, learning. On this first day, he was a student of logistics. Later, Matt would teach him of battle.
At night, the grand display from earlier had its effect. The nearby wildlife grew restless. Outside the safe zone, pairs of glowing green eyes lit up the darkness, approaching with ill intent.
"Sir," a squad leader reported to Matt, "a large number of Pokémon are approaching."
Giovanni slowly rose, his hand on a Poké Ball, ready for action. Matt, however, waved him off. "There is no need for us to do everything. You must also let your subordinates play their part."
Giovanni lowered his hand.
Matt stood and instructed the squad leader, "Notify all members. It is time for a hunt.
Let these wild creatures witness the power of Team Rocket."