Chapter 39: Danger

Chapter 39: Danger

The summons came early.

This time, however, they were not gathered together. Instead, each of the three classes was led to a separate, massive training chamber. Everything inside had been cleared out, leaving the spaces incredibly vast, yet filled with a heavy sense of oppression.

Upon entering, the recruits understood what was about to happen. Each of them kept a careful distance from the person next to them, their hands hovering over their Poké Balls.

Giovanni's own hand rested on the hilt of his dagger, his other hand on his Nidoran's Poké Ball, ready to act at a moment's notice. Not far from him, Katsu was just as wary, his face a mask of vigilance.

One of them had the strongest physique, the other was the most feared; they were the two biggest targets.

Miyamoto appeared on a high platform above them. Madame Boss was not with her.

"I'm sure you've all guessed what's about to happen," Miyamoto said, her voice echoing in the cavernous room. "Due to... recent developments, the rules have changed."

As she spoke, the wary recruits widened the distance between themselves even further.

"I won't waste words," Miyamoto continued, a cruel smile touching her lips. "The rules are simple: only one of you will be leaving this room alive today."

With that, the platform she was on began to ascend, sealing them inside. In an instant, flashes of white light filled the chamber as every recruit released their Pokémon. The air was thick with the scent of battle and killing intent.

Giovanni pressed the button on his Poké Ball, and his Nidoran appeared in a flash of white light. Seeing the tense situation, it cleverly used Focus Energy, its horn beginning to glow with a faint light.

He and his Nidoran hadn't forged the same near-telepathic bond he shared with his Kakuna, so a preemptive strike was too risky. If he acted first, the others might see him as the biggest threat and unite against him. That would be a death sentence.

But even without making the first move, he was still a target. Katsu was in a similar situation, but he had two powerful Pokémon. Giovanni, with only his Nidoran, was seen as the more vulnerable of the two primary threats.

He was targeted immediately. Two recruits, Ren and Hiro, launched the first attack.

"Go!" Ren shouted. "Mankey, Low Kick! Meowth, use Scratch!"

"Rattata, Sandshrew, Tackle and Scratch!" Hiro commanded.

Four Pokémon charged menacingly towards Giovanni and his Nidoran. Katsu glanced in his direction, but quickly turned back to his own fight, his Machop and Tyrogue already engaged.

Giovanni's face darkened as he faced the encirclement. "Nidoran, full-power Poison Sting! Push them back!"

The gravity of the situation was not lost on the Nidoran. It knew that if it faltered, they would both die here. A volley of poison needles erupted from its horn. Though inaccurate, the sheer number of projectiles was enough to halt the advance.

"Dodge!" Ren and Hiro screamed. Their Pokémon scrambled to avoid the attack. This was the advantage of a Poison-type; they excelled at creating space.

"Charge in! Close combat!" Giovanni ordered. "We're not afraid of them up close!" With its Poison Point ability, his Nidoran was a dangerous opponent to touch.

The other recruits were not fools. They had been training for two months. "Sandshrew, use Sand Attack!" Hiro yelled. "Rattata, Tail Whip!"

"Meowth, Growl! Mankey, Leer!" Ren added.

Four layers of weakening debuffs. Giovanni's face was grim. "Nidoran, ignore them! Use Peck! Attack the Rattata!"

Nidoran gritted its teeth and charged, ignoring the other Pokémon. It stubbornly and continuously attacked the Rattata, its horn piercing its flesh. The Rattata's fur was already turning a dark shade from the poison.

"Are you just going to watch?!" Hiro screamed at Ren. "If it takes my Rattata down, you're next!"

With no other choice, Ren finally ordered his Pokémon into the fray. "Meowth, Fake Out! Mankey, Fury Swipes!"

Just as the two Pokémon were about to reach his Nidoran, Giovanni's eyes narrowed. He saw his opening.

"Now! Release Poison Sting in all directions!"

Nidoran immediately spun its body, unleashing a storm of poison needles.

"Not good," Ren muttered, but it was too late. His unlucky Meowth was hit squarely, its fur turning black as it cried out in pain. Only the Mankey managed to dodge the attack.

"You bastard!" Ren cursed at Hiro. "This is your fault!"

"Serves you right for leaving me to die!" Hiro shot back.

They were about to turn on each other, but they knew the real threat was still in front of them. "You have your Sandshrew tank the damage," Ren proposed. "My Mankey will look for an opportunity. Our other two can still attack. Let's just take him down first."

Hiro nodded. "Go, Sandshrew! Use Defense Curl!"

The Sandshrew curled into a hard, scaly ball and rolled towards Nidoran. Meowth and Rattata continued to harass it from a distance, while the Mankey circled, waiting for an opening.

At this rate, Nidoran was in real danger.

Giovanni's brow furrowed. The battle was dragging on. Too long. From across the chamber, other recruits, their own skirmishes finished, were beginning to turn their heads. They saw Giovanni, pinned down, his Pokémon struggling against four others.

They saw an opportunity.

Giovanni was in danger.