Chapter 65: Ground Gym Battle (1)
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Later, Viridian City]
The Viridian City Gym loomed before Azure like a monolithic shadow, a stark contrast to the azure sky above. Its imposing structure, a brutalist testament to concrete and steel, seemed to absorb the sunlight, radiating an aura of cold, calculated power.
Azure, a young trainer with eyes the color of the summer sky itself, adjusted the strap of his worn backpack. His heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs, a counterpoint to the steady thump-thump-thump of Pikachu's tiny tail against his shoulder.
He'd come a long way. Seven Gym Badges, seven victories hard-won against trainers ranging from the serene Erika to the fiery Blaine, adorned his belt. Each badge represented a milestone, a testament to his journey and the unwavering loyalty of his Pokémon team.
Beside him, Eevee's soft, brown eyes reflected the tense atmosphere. Arcanine, magnificent and powerful, stood alert, its fiery fur rippling slightly in the breeze. Scizor, its metallic body gleaming, stood poised, ready for battle.
Even Dragonair, usually serene, coiled slightly tighter, its elegant body expressing a quiet tension. Gengar, Azure's mischievous Ghost-type, remained hidden within the shadows cast by the looming gym, its presence felt more than seen.
This, however, was different. Giovanni, the Viridian City Gym Leader, wasn't just another hurdle on the path to becoming a Pokémon Master.
He was a legend, a whisper in the wind, a name spoken with caution and respect – or fear. Whispers of his ruthless ambition, his connection to Team Rocket, chilled Azure down to the bone.
He knew this battle wouldn't be about skill alone; it would be a test of courage, strategy, and sheer will. He pushed open the heavy metal doors, the sound echoing through the cavernous space.
*Thud*
The gym's interior was as stark as the exterior, a vast arena. Recalling his Pokémon except for Pikachu and Gengar in his shadow, they find their way inside of the building, stumbling around in the darkness until they notice the figure of another person.
It reveals itself to be a bust of a man on a pedestal, heavily damaged, the name of the Gym Leader on the plaque now unreadable. Struck with the familiarity of the bust, they steeled themselves as a bright light filled the room.
*POP*
Suddenly, a man is present, his figure obscured by shadow as he begins to approach Azure, as he commented neutrally, "You came… as I expected you would. Welcome to the Viridian City Gym. I've waited a long time for you… Azure Sky of Viridian City!"
Giovanni reveals a small smirk on the man's face as Azure's eyes adjusted, with him continuing, "Look at you… You must be an experienced trainer by now… an expert, even…? You've been on this mission to complete the Gym Challenges for some time now. You must have defeated my fellow Gym Leaders to reach me!"
Azure eyes adjusted, seeing that Giovanni's imposing figure, clad in black, exuded an aura of cold authority. Seeing the leader of Team Rocket, Azure, reply calmly, hands at the ready for his Poke Balls, "You'd assume right, Giovanni. The Self-proclaimed strongest Trainer or the Giovanni of the Land. I've done my research on you."
Giovanni grinned as his voice boomed, his tone devoid of warmth as he said calmly, clapping his hands, "You've done your homework, Azure. I can see you are wondering how many of your enemies are in the building. You're trying to assess how powerful I am… and debating whether it would be wise to strike first. Don't worry, no one here but you and me. I have no reason to lie."
There was no one within the Gym as Giovanni was true to his word. Then he asked Azure bluntly, eyeing him, "It's such a shame that someone of your skill is not on my side. I've heard about your battles with my captains. At first, I thought nothing of them, but then I kept hearing about the same man scoring victory after victory… and your dubious morals stealing from Team Rocket."
Giovanni chuckled at the thought as he muttered with Azure paying close attention as he said humorously, "Ha! Team Rocket Grunts and my Captains are being robbed by a child. And not only that, you've done it all without using the Legendary Pokémon."
Referring to the Legendary Bird Trio, Azure added, keeping an eye on him being ready to act, if need be, as he said calmly adjusting his cap, "I make it a point not to use Legendary Pokémon as I trust my own Pokémon to take them on. Besides, if you think I'm handing them over, afraid to say I've released them."
Giovanni merely snorted but didn't detect any lies from him. But it only wanted someone that exceptional on his team, as he asked curiously, "Heh. Very funny since most would use them without a doubt, and you release them. But out of curiosity, what's your impression of Team Rocket?"
Azure exhaled slowly, choosing his words carefully as the air crackled with anticipation, thick with the scent of ozone and tension, "A criminal organization. A highly ambitious and well-organized one."
Giovanni's expression didn't change, but his eyes gleamed with faint amusement, shifting to a raised eyebrow as he said, "What makes you say that?"
Azure elaborated as he eyed Giovanni, as he explained with an unbiased opinion of Team Rocket in a neutral tone, "Despite their criminal activities, Team Rocket operates under a clear code and conduct. They're disciplined and have a reputation for rewarding loyalty with fair compensation. A disciplined, ambitious organization with a vision to rival the League itself, if not possible grow across the world."
Giovanni was silent for a long moment, surprised by Azure's words, his smile fading slightly as he said, "And their future?"
Azure replied bluntly, "None."
Giovanni's voice and expression turned cold, muttering, "Oh?"
Unperturbed, Azure explained eyeing the Leader of Team Rocket bluntly the facts, "Team Rocket's activities – poaching and smuggling – leave a stain that can't be erased. If they remain in the shadows, they'll always risk being exposed by the light."
Giovanni's expression darkened as he said, "Then they're doomed?"
Azure smiled faintly, adjusting his cap forward as he said bluntly, "Not necessarily. Why not bring Team Rocket into the light? Make them into a public-facing organization. Embrace legality, shed the parts that repel society like poaching, and take control of the darker undercurrents that the League cannot touch. Why not rebrand? Become a massive corporation with transparency, better benefits, and accessible opportunities."
Giovanni was legitimately stunned by Azure's words. Amused by his intrigue, he asked curiously as he smirked, "And the inevitable internal resistance?"
Azure shrugged, meeting his gaze as he directly said honestly, "Break it to rebuild it. If you can't break it yourself… create someone who can."
Giovanni's smile slowly returned, through his eyes shimmered with new thoughts. He chuckled at his words, muttering curiously, "Heh. To think an outsider like you sees more clearly than those within my organization. Your independence and honor are among the traits I admire in you and Red…"
After some contemplation, Giovanni chuckled as he revealed his Poke Balls on his belt as he said confidently, "I believe we've wandered off-topic. Not only that…"
*Bwooof*
*Tak*
*Tak*
Turning his back on Azure, he allows all of his Poké Balls to fall to the floor in front of Azure, leaving him defenseless. He said confidently, testing him on his Gym Challenge, "I'm even unarmed, you have me quite at a disadvantage… Heh. Now. Come at me with all you've got, you must knock down 6 of my Pokémon to get my Badge."
Azure clenched his fist, seeing Giovanni looking down on him, beginning his provocation. It took Azure a bit to surprise, but he quickly commanded, "Gengar! Protect!"
*Shiii*
*CRACK*
Instantly, Gengar appeared from Azure's shadow, creating the transparent barrier. And in those next few seconds, the Bivalve Pokémon Cloyster covered the barrier in ice as Giovanni commented, "Oh? Good instinct. It took you one second to command your Gengar. By the time Gengar emerged, another second passed. Three seconds had elapsed when Gengar left your shadow and began protecting. More than enough time to reach the Poke Balls on the floor and launch a counterattack… for me, at least."
Gengar floated using its Levitate ability as Azure explains to his Shadow Pokémon in a serious tone, "Gengar, be on your guard. Our opponent this time will be the most difficult we've fought yet, and the smuggest man alive flexing his skills."
Giovanni merely chuckled at the compliment as Azure commanded, "Use Agile Style Shadow Ball!"
*Zzzz*
Gengar's hands spark with blue electricity. It then puts its hands together, forms a black ball of energy, and shoots it at the Cloyster, with Giovanni responding, "Use Ice Beam!"
*Shiiii*
*CRACKLE*
Shooting an energy beam of ice froze the Shadow Ball in place as Azure commanded, "Use Mean Look!"
Gengar glared at the Cloyster, allowing Giovanni his chance to respond, "Now! Use Hydro Pump!"
*SPLASH*
Cloyster unleashes a powerful stream of water from its mouth, directed at Gengar. When Gengar was done, the Hydro Pump was close to hitting it as Azure countered, "Gengar! Shadow Ball to surf's up!"
*Zzzz*
Giovanni blinked momentarily, confused by that command. But his eyes widened as Gengar grinned, summoning a Shadow Ball as it rode the currents of Hydro Pump, using the rotation of the Shadow Ball to come closer to Cloyster.
Giovanni, seeing this, was momentarily stunned, seeing such an approach as he thought with narrowed eyes, 'To use Shadow Ball instead of running or blocking, used it for momentum, riding on my Cloyster's Hydro Pump instead? His certainly creative, I'll give him that.'
*BOOOM*
The Shadow Ball landed on Cloyster in the face, sending it back. Seeing the situation, Azure remained cautious, analyzing the enemy thinking, 'Cloyster, if my memory serves me right, has one of the highest Def. stats in all of Pokémon. Not only does that have decent Attack and Sp. Attack. But his shell is gonna be a problem as its impressive defenses allow it to withstand anything from a bomb to even a missile strike.'
Despite taking one of Gengar's Shadow Balls, and with low Sp. Def stat the Cloyster spun, returning to face Gengar with a confident smirk, "Cloy! Cloyster!"
*Tak*
Not only that, when Cloyster spun, Giovanni's Poke Balls were now closer to him at his feet, collecting them with ease. Azure commanded having a solution against Cloyster, "Gengar! Perish Song!"
Gengar sings loudly, and black waves of energy come out of its mouth, hurting Gengar and making crimson static appear over the Cloyster, hurting them as well. Giovanni's eyes narrowed, seeing Azure's plan as he recalled his Gengar, "Gengar return! Go! Eevee!"
*Pop*
Recalling his Gengar Eevee appeared as Giovanni unleashed his attack, "Cloyster Icicle Spear!"
*PEW*
Cloyster fires sharp, thin, spear-shaped ice shards from its mouth at the Eevee. Seeing this, Azure commanded, "Eevee, don't hold back your full strength, evolve into Glaceon! Use Mimic!"
*Shiii*
Giovanni's eyes narrowed, seeing the Eevee evolve as he thought cautiously, 'I see, so that's what happened to the Eevee from the Eevee Reconstruction. He managed to unlock her full potential, unlocking new forms.'
*PEW*
Eevee evolving into Glaceon unleashed its own Icicle Spears at Cloyster using Mimic. Both exchanged blows for blows in this ice-type exchange as the red aura shrouding Cloyster increases, making it shake in pain because of Perish Song.
And thanks to Gengar using Mean Look on Cloyster, it couldn't escape. The exchange between the Fresh Snow Pokémon and the Bivalve Pokémon continued as Giovanni's eyes narrowed, looking at Glaceon's form as he thought, 'That Glaceon is tanking Cloyster's attacks well. Is it perhaps high defense stats when it evolves? I need to carefully analyze what these new Eevee Evolutions' greatest strengths and weaknesses are…'
While Giovanni allowed the exchange between Ice Pokémon to happen, his gathering intel on how to deal with Eevee's forms. He was familiar with the 3 forms of Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon with their strength and weaknesses.
However, knowing that Azure held more forms to pick from for Eevee, Giovanni needed to be cautious, as changing into a different type with multiple abilities could change the tide of battle in an instant. So, Giovanni settled for figuring out how each form worked and guessing what each of their greatest strength and weaknesses were in the process of the battle.
*Thud*
After the prolonged battle, Cloyster finally fainted from the effects of Perish Song. Giovanni recalled it as Azure switched Eevee, as he said, "Return! Go! Scizor!"
*Pop*
Scizor appeared out in the open as Giovanni said in a calm tone, teaching Azure, "You're fast, Azure… but a great trainer knows when to let his opponent strike first to use his speed against him!"
*Pop*
Giovanni tossed his Poke Ball at Scizor. It opened to reveal Nidoqueen already preparing a Fire Punch as Azure commanded, "Double Team!"
*Swooosh*
Scizor managed to avoid the Fire Punch using Double Team, creating afterimages as the Pincer Pokémon glared at the Nidoqueen. Both Trainers eyed each other, wondering how the Pokémon Battle would proceed next…
/////
A/N: Here's your extra chapter! Enjoy the cliffhanger!