Chapter 17: First Showdown with Giovanni

A/N: System will be online soon, comment which new game you want to be added. Also no need to limit it to just ROMS, like Pokemon Insurgence, or any fan games you want it will be selected as random only three will be selected. So comment your choice before I make another Chapter.

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As we flew through the sky, the vast expanse of the ocean stretched beneath us, a shimmering blue canvas. Dragonite's powerful wings beat a steady rhythm, carrying us swiftly towards our next destination.

The wind rushed past, a cool caress against my face, and the distant clouds seemed to race alongside us. I looked down, seeing tiny specks of islands dotting the water, gradually growing larger.

We finally reached Cinnabar Island. It emerged from the horizon, a distinct silhouette against the morning sun. It was a volcanic island, its peak constantly emitting a faint plume of smoke, a stark reminder of the fiery power simmering beneath its surface.

The air grew warmer as we approached, carrying a faint scent of sulfur and salt. The island itself looked like a resort town, with colorful buildings nestled along the coast.

And honestly, I wanna already rest in one of the resorts here. The idea of a comfortable bed, a hot meal, and a peaceful evening was incredibly appealing after just a day of travel from some random resort.

Am I been lazy? Yes. But is it a problem? Not really just not now maybe next time.

My body hummed with a unpleasant weariness, and the thought of unwinding in a luxurious setting was tempting.

Anyway, I soon went to the resort that Blaine managed, the one with a clock near the volcano. I knew this from the anime. Blaine, the Fire-type Gym Leader, often disguised himself as a quiz master at a local resort.

It was a quirky detail, and I intended to exploit it for efficiency. Dragonite landed discreetly on a secluded beach, and I made my way towards the resort, a grand building with a distinctive clock tower.

I reached his resort as he, in his fancy wig, welcomed me, treating me like a guest. He was standing at the entrance, a tall, imposing man with a flamboyant red wig and a wide, theatrical smile.

"Welcome, welcome, esteemed guest!" he boomed, his voice echoing through the lobby. "Are you here to test your knowledge at the famous Riddle resort? If you answer correctly you may gain some discount." He gestured grandly towards a stage.

But I didn't have much time, so I directly just asked for a gym battle, telling him I know that he is Blaine and I am here to challenge him for his badge. I cut straight to the chase.

"No quizzes today, Blaine," I said, my voice calm and direct, my eyes meeting his. "I know who you are. I'm here to challenge you for the Volcano badge."

He seemed a bit surprised that he was exposed so quickly. His theatrical smile faltered, and his eyes, usually twinkling with mischief, widened slightly. The flamboyant wig seemed to droop a little.

"Oh my! My disguise, foiled so soon!" he exclaimed, a hint of genuine surprise in his voice. But he didn't thought much of it. He quickly recovered, a wry smile replacing his surprise. "Very well, young challenger. You are sharp indeed."

As he told me that his gym is really destroyed from his last challenger. He sighed, gesturing vaguely towards the volcano.

"Unfortunately, my gym suffered... considerable damage from my last challenger. A rather enthusiastic young man with a Pikachu. It's currently undergoing repairs, I'm afraid." He looked genuinely apologetic, though a faint hint of pride flickered in his eyes.

I told that we can just have a battle anywhere as long as I can get the gym badge. "No problem," I said, shrugging.

"I don't need a fancy gym. We can battle anywhere. As long as I get my badge, I'm happy." My goal was the badge, not the spectacle.

He seems like he is already tired from his recent chaos. He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his wig.

"Very well, very well. Your determination is commendable. I suppose a true trainer doesn't need a fancy arena."

He looked genuinely weary, as if the constant stream of challengers and the recent gym damage had taken their toll.

As he took me to the top of the volcano. "Follow me," he said, leading me out of the resort and towards a rugged path that snaked up the side of the volcano.

The air grew hotter with each step, and the ground beneath our feet felt warm. We reached a flat, rocky plateau near the crater, steam hissing from vents in the ground.

As he told me that it will be one on one Pokémon battle. "Here," Blaine announced, gesturing to the volcanic landscape.

"This is my true arena. A one-on-one battle, challenger. A test of raw power and spirit. Are you ready?" He looked at me, his eyes serious now, devoid of his earlier theatricality.

He call out his Magmar from the volcano. A column of fire erupted, and from it emerged his Magmar, its fiery arms relaxed, its eyes glowing with intense heat. It let out a guttural growl, radiating power.

And I take out Blaziken. "Blaziken, let's go!" I commanded, sending out my fully evolved Fire/Fighting type. Blaziken materialized, its fiery fists already glowing, its stance ready. It was a fierce, agile fighter, perfectly suited for this volcanic environment.

Honestly, it was a difficult fight and I was close to losing here. Magmar was incredibly powerful, its Flame Blast scorching, its movements surprisingly agile for its bulk.

Blaziken fought with all its might, dodging, weaving, and delivering powerful Blaze Kicks. The heat from the volcano, the steam, the roaring Pokémon—it was an intense, brutal battle, a true clash of fire. Blaziken was taking heavy hits, its health dipping dangerously low.

It was just a clutch that Blaziken did his final move faster than Magmar, otherwise I would have lost there. Magmar charged, preparing a devastating Fire Punch.

Blaziken, battered and bruised, pushed through its pain, unleashing a final, desperate Blaze Kick. It connected first, a fiery explosion that sent Magmar reeling, knocking it out cold just as its fist was about to land. It was a narrow victory, for Blaziken's endurance and speed.

After that I got my 7th badge from him. Blaine looked at his fainted Magmar, then at my panting Blaziken, a look of profound respect on his face. He walked over, his flamboyant wig slightly askew, and held out the Volcano Badge.

"A truly magnificent battle, young challenger," he said, his voice sincere. "Your Blaziken's spirit burns brighter than any flame. You have earned this badge."

Now only Viridian Gym where Giovanni is left. My seventh badge. Only one more to go before the Pokémon League.

And that last badge belonged to Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, the true villain of this region. The thought sent a jolt of anticipation through me.

Honestly, it's time to mess with him. It was time to show Team Rocket's Boss what true power looked like, to humiliate him on his own turf. This wasn't just about a badge; it was about sending a message.

I go this time through the sea to the mainland by Kyogre. I thanked Blaine and made my way back to the coast.

With a thought, Kyogre materialized from its Master Ball, its colossal form shimmering in the sunlight. I climbed onto its massive back, feeling its cool, smooth skin beneath me.

It was not bad at all, Kyogre is really the most pleasant to travel with on water routes. No waves swaying us here and there, or some random Pokémon attacking us. It was like flowing through a water cloud on gentle water waves.

Kyogre moved effortlessly through the ocean, its immense body parting the waves without a ripple. The ride was incredibly smooth, peaceful, almost meditative. The water beneath us was calm, and no wild Pokémon dared to approach the legendary beast. It was the ultimate oceanic travel.

After a day, I finally reached mainland. The vast coastline of the Kanto region slowly appeared on the horizon, growing larger with each passing hour.

Kyogre brought me to a secluded beach, far from any towns, and gently set me down. It was a pleasant ride to have, a truly unique experience.

Next destination is Viridian City Gym. The final badge. The ultimate confrontation. My mind was already buzzing with anticipation.

"Kyogre," I thought, projecting my command, "you're free to roam the oceans. But in three days, meet me near Pallet Town. Got it?" Kyogre rumbled softly, a sound that vibrated through the sand, and then, with a powerful surge, disappeared into the depths.

I take my Dragonite and soon fly towards Viridian City. With a flash of light, Dragonite materialized, its orange scales gleaming. I climbed onto its back, and we soared into the sky, heading north towards Viridian City, the final stop on my Kanto Gym challenge.

As I reached the near the gym, I saw Ash and his team with Gary. We descended discreetly on the outskirts of Viridian City, and I made my way towards the gym.

It was a large, imposing Ancient-Roman-like building, its dark facade looking rather ominous. And there, standing outside, were Ash, Misty, and Brock, engaged in a heated argument with none other than Gary Oak.

Well, Gary was showing off his badges. He was preening, his arms crossed, a smug smirk on his face, a collection of badges pinned to his jacket.

"That's right, Ashy-boy! Ten badges! Looks like I'm still one step ahead of you! Or maybe three steps now! Hahaha!" he boasted, his voice dripping with condescension. His usual entourage of cheerleaders giggled beside him.

Too bad for the guy who will be badly defeated here. My internal smirk was wide. Gary had no idea what was coming. His smugness was about to be shattered if not for me changing his future here.

I greet Ash and his friends, ignore Gary and his girls. "Hey guys," I said, walking up to them, a casual nod to Ash, Misty, and Brock. I completely ignored Gary, not even glancing at him or his cheerleaders, treating them as if they were invisible.

Before anyone can say a thing, I enter the gym as it got closed after I enter between the guards guarding the door. Before Gary could retort, or Ash could launch into another argument, I strode purposefully towards the gym entrance. T

wo stern-faced Team Rocket grunts, disguised as gym guards in gladiator theme, stood at the door. They looked surprised by my sudden, confident approach, but before they could react, I slipped between them.

The heavy doors swung shut behind me with a solid THUD, leaving Ash, Gary, and the others outside.

Alright, now for the main villain. The interior of the Viridian Gym was dark, almost oppressive, a stark contrast to the vibrant Kanto gyms I had visited. It felt less like a place of battle and more like a hidden lair.

I saw Giovanni sitting high up there in his chair with Persian next to him. At the far end of the gym, on a raised platform, sat Giovanni.

He was a formidable figure, his dark suit impeccable, his face a mask of cold authority. His Persian, sleek and elegant, purred softly beside him, its eyes fixed on me.

He introduced himself as the gym leader of Viridian City. His voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the vast space.

"Welcome, challenger. I am Giovanni, the Gym Leader of Viridian City. And you are...?" He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

Then he ask my introduction. "I am Zevion," I stated, my voice clear and unwavering, meeting his gaze directly. I felt a surge of adrenaline, a thrill of confrontation.

"And I am here to challenge you for the Earth Badge." My words hung in the air, a direct challenge to his authority.

He accepted my challenge. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched Giovanni's lips. "Bold. Very well, Zevion. I accept your challenge. Let us see if your strength matches your audacity." He leaned back in his chair, a gesture of casual confidence.

Soon our battle started. He sent his Golem first. The battle arena was a simple, rocky terrain, fitting for a Ground-type gym. Giovanni threw his Poké Ball, and with a rumble, his Golem materialized, its rocky form imposing.

I used Swampert against it. "Swampert, let's go!" I commanded, sending out my fully evolved Water/Ground type. Swampert, with its powerful Hydro Pump, was a perfect counter.

It was easy victory for me. Golem, despite its bulk, was no match. A single, powerful Hydro Pump from Swampert shattered its rocky defenses, sending it crashing to the ground. The battle was over in seconds.

He complimented me as he sent his next Pokémon. Giovanni's smirk widened slightly. "Impressive. Your Swampert is well-trained." He threw his next Poké Ball. It was a Kingler. A large, formidable Water-type, its giant claw snapping.

I sent Sceptile. "Sceptile, let's go!" I commanded. Sceptile, with its Grass-type advantage and incredible speed, moved like a green blur. A few Leaf Blades later, Kingler was down, defeated with the same effortless ease as Golem.

Now is time for things to turn really serious now. Even though his defeat without much resistance, he didn't look any troubled at all. He just smiled.

Giovanni's calm demeanor was unsettling. He had lost two Pokémon in mere seconds, yet his smile remained, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He wasn't even sweating. This wasn't a normal gym battle for him.

He stood up as he flicked his fingers. The air crackled with anticipation. A hidden door in the wall slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a dark, ominous chamber beyond.

And here was the Mewtwo in his mechanical restraints. From the darkness, a figure emerged.

It was Mewtwo, its powerful form encased in heavy, metallic restraints, glowing faintly with contained psychic energy. Its eyes, usually cold and calculating despite his restraints, held a hint of frustration, a suppressed rage. It was a terrifying, yet majestic, sight.

He told me that I can send any no. of Pokémon as he wants to test this Pokémon. Giovanni's voice dropped, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"This is my true power, Zevion. My ultimate creation. You may use as many Pokémon as you wish. I want to see how much it truly takes to push this one." He gestured to Mewtwo, a chilling possessiveness in his tone.

Well then, now it is time for my acting skills. My heart pounded with excitement. This was the moment. The ultimate reveal. I had planned this for weeks. I took a deep breath, preparing my performance.

"Wow! What a coincidence! I also caught a same looking Pokémon some time soon!" I exclaimed, my voice wide-eyed and innocent, feigning surprise and a touch of idiocy. I pulled out a normal Poke Ball, its red and white gleam stark against the dark gym.

Then I sent out my Shiny Mewtwo, which is at level 100. With a flash of light, my Shiny Mewtwo materialized. Its white and green form shimmered, its eyes glowing with an intense, calm power. It floated effortlessly, radiating an aura of absolute control.

"Look, we got a same Pokémon! I thought it was a very rare, but I see it was just one of the many."

I said like I meant it idiotically, my voice filled with feigned disappointment, as if finding another Mewtwo was a common occurrence. I even gave a slight shrug, as if it was no big deal.

Even the restrained Mewtwo looked very surprised. Its eyes, previously filled with frustration, widened in genuine shock. A flicker of confusion, then a profound sense of bewilderment crossed its face.

It was like it was having a mental breakdown, its carefully constructed identity shattering before its eyes. The idea that it wasn't unique, that there were others, was clearly devastating.

And Giovanni was like his jaw all dropped, pointing at me, all stuttering. Giovanni's composure completely shattered. His eyes bulged, his jaw dropped, and he pointed a trembling finger at my Shiny Mewtwo, his voice a series of choked, stuttering sounds.

"Wh-wha-what!!! How do you have that Pokémon!! It shouldn't be possible! It was supposed one and only one in existence!! My creation! My ultimate weapon!" He looked utterly broken, his face pale with disbelief.

Honestly, it looked like Giovanni is having more severe mental breakdown than his Mewtwo.

His entire worldview, his grand plans, his sense of unparalleled power—all crumbling before his eyes. The sight of my loyal, equally powerful Mewtwo was clearly more devastating to him than any battle.

"Whatever, man. Shall we start our battle already?" I asked, my voice impatient, trying to pull him out of his stupor. I wanted to see the fight, not his existential crisis.

He, while in denial, still regained his calm. Giovanni took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing himself to regain some semblance of control.

His eyes, though still wide with shock, hardened with renewed determination. He was a master villain, after all, and he wouldn't stay down for long.

As he ordered Mewtwo to defeat me. "Mewtwo," he commanded, his voice strained, "destroy him! Prove your superiority! Prove you are the one and only!"

And honestly, looks like his Mewtwo is all roaring to go, not because he is loyal to him, but he want to gain clarification for his existence. Giovanni's Mewtwo let out a guttural roar, its eyes blazing.

It wasn't loyalty; it was a desperate need for validation, a furious desire to prove its uniqueness, to prove that it was the original, the ultimate. It lunged forward, its restraints groaning under the strain.

Suddenly, the whole battle arena started floating up as the ceiling started to crumble and turned into sharp shards as the rain down on my Mewtwo. The sheer psychic power unleashed by Giovanni's Mewtwo was immense.

The entire gym began to groan, the floor lifting, the ceiling cracking. Sharp shards of concrete and metal rained down, propelled by psychic force, aimed directly at my Mewtwo.

But it was easily deflected by my Shiny Mewtwo's shield. Honestly, it was so intense that if not for my Mewtwo protecting me with his psychic power, I would have been on ground just from their aura.

My Shiny Mewtwo, without a single command, erected a shimmering, transparent psychic shield. The falling debris shattered against it, harmlessly deflecting away.

The raw psychic energy radiating from both Pokémon was overwhelming, a palpable pressure that made the air thick and heavy. I felt a slight tremor in my own body, a testament to their immense power.

The match quickly escalated as both of them started going all out. Now the original Mewtwo deflecting attacks and attacking mine while mine was literally returning back all his attack back on him.

It was a dizzying display of psychic warfare. Blasts of energy collided, creating blinding flashes of light. Psychic barriers shimmered and shattered.

Giovanni's Mewtwo launched devastating attacks, which my Shiny Mewtwo effortlessly deflected, often sending them right back at their source. It was a perfect mirror match, a clash of titans, but with my Mewtwo holding a subtle edge in control and precision.

A loud CRACK echoed through the gym, and a section of the metal snapped. Giovanni's eyes widened in pure terror. He knew what was about to happen.

"Stop! I forfeit! I concede! Just stop!" he shrieked, his voice filled with desperation, completely abandoning his composure.

I guess he didn't want to lose his control on his Mewtwo, as unlike mine, his Mewtwo is not in control of him. And that's why he is mostly surprised because my Mewtwo was already listening to me while his can try to rebel any moment it got.

His fear was palpable. He was terrified of his own creation, of losing control of the most powerful Pokémon he possessed.

My Mewtwo, on the other hand, was perfectly loyal, perfectly obedient, a stark contrast to his volatile, rebellious counterpart. That was the true source of his shock.

Suddenly his Mewtwo sparked with intense shock. The restrained Mewtwo, seeing my Mewtwo's unwavering loyalty.

He threw the Earth Badge at me as he suddenly some people came, taking his Mewtwo away. Giovanni, his face pale, his hands trembling, threw the Earth Badge at my feet. It clattered on the damaged floor.

Before I could even pick it up, a squad of Team Rocket grunts, heavily armed, rushed in, their faces grim. They quickly subdued Giovanni's Mewtwo, sedating it and dragging it away, its cries of confusion fading into the distance.

Well, it was not really that bad, but I wanted to go all out with him. Too bad, not now. The battle had been intense, but it had ended prematurely.

I had wanted to push my Shiny Mewtwo to its limits, to truly see its full power against its original counterpart. But Giovanni's fear had cut it short.

But this should be enough to get register in both Giovanni and Mewtwo's mind now. Giovanni would never forget the sight of my loyal, powerful Mewtwo.

And his own Mewtwo would forever be haunted by the existence of another, a perfect, controlled version of itself. The seeds of doubt and obsession were firmly planted.

Anyway I will get this Mewtwo in future.

I got out of the now destroyed gym with my 8th badge and finally eligible for participating in Pokémon League.

The gym was a wreck, its ceiling collapsed, its floor cracked. I picked up the Earth Badge, a symbol of my final victory.

Eight badges. I was officially eligible for the Pokémon League, the ultimate challenge in this world. My journey continued, now with a new level of power, and a new, powerful enemy.