Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 89: Rio vs. Giovanni (Part 1)

Hearing Giovanni’s words, Rio couldn’t help but give him a mental thumbs-up. No wonder that even after Giovanni was defeated and lost his will—choosing to disband Team Rocket—his subordinates still desperately tried to find him and bring him back to lead them.

But the problem was—just because he said a few nice words, Rio was supposed to join? That would be too undignified. He was someone who stood firmly against evil. If they wanted him to join, they’d have to meet three conditions:

First—pay him money!

Second—pay him a lot of money!

Third—give him enough money to live comfortably for life!

Haha, just kidding. Actually, it was simple: all they had to do was defeat him in every way possible. Otherwise, as a transmigrator, why would he just roll over and play fetch like a good little dog? Where was his dignity?

"So—how about it? Join Team Rocket. All past conflicts are forgiven, and you’ll be given the rank of General," Giovanni said again.

"At least show me you can beat me first. No one wants to join an organization led by someone weaker than them," Rio said, crossing his arms defiantly. "If you win, I’ll join. If I win, you pull out of Silph Co."

"Fine—if you lose, you join Team Rocket. If you win, we withdraw immediately." Giovanni glanced at Proton behind him. "Does Silph Co. have a battlefield? Set one up."

Proton whispered: "Boss, isn’t this bet a bit risky? We worked so hard to take over Silph Co.—"

"Do you think I’ll lose?" Giovanni cut him off.

Seeing his boss’s confident expression, Proton quickly changed his answer: "Yes, Boss—I saw one downstairs." He glanced at Rio, sighed quietly, and left.

To be honest, his feelings were complicated. Part of him wanted Giovanni to win; part of him wanted him to lose. If Giovanni won, the operation would go smoothly, and they’d secure the Master Ball and its research data—but he’d likely have someone above him from now on. If Giovanni lost, Rio wouldn’t join, but the entire operation would be wasted, because Giovanni would honor his word and pull everyone out.

Still, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Giovanni was overwhelmingly likely to win.

"Maybe I should... do something to tip the scales a little? Give the kid a better chance?" Proton thought. "With my boss’s strength, I can’t imagine anyone in this world beating him. If the kid still loses, then I’ll accept my fate."

In the end, Proton chose personal interest over collective interest.

A few minutes later, he took the elevator to Silph Co.’s employee battlefield. "Fill it with water—fill the whole thing up!"

After finding a controlled Silph Co. employee and learning that the battlefield had adjustable terrain, he dismissed all the Rocket members and set the arena to a Water-type field. He remembered that Giovanni had only brought one Pokémon on this mission—Rhyperior, a Ground/Rock-type. A Water-type field would be extremely unfavorable for Rhyperior.

"Kid, you better work hard—this Rocket member is rooting for you," Proton thought bitterly as the Water-type field took shape.

Ten minutes later, Giovanni and Rio entered the arena, led by Proton.

"Boss, only this Water-type battlefield is available—the others have technical issues," Proton explained as they entered.

Giovanni didn’t say much—just nodded. To him, a Water-type field was no different from any other. The final victory would still be his.

"Does the field bother you?" Giovanni asked Rio.

Rio didn’t reply—he just walked to the other side of the Water-type arena, his actions speaking for themselves.

A moment later, Rio paused. Giovanni had released his Pokémon onto a rocky outcrop—a Level 70 Rhyperior with Champion-tier talent.

[Pokémon: Rhyperior]

[Level: 70]

[Talent: Champion]

[Ability: Lightning Rod]

[Gender: Male]

[Moves: Tackle (105%), Hammer Arm (105%), Stomp (105%), Rock Blast (105%), Wide Guard (105%), Rock Tomb (105%), Earth Power (105%), Drill Run (105%), Earthquake (105%), Stone Edge (104%), Megahorn (104%), Horn Drill (103%)]

Rio raised an eyebrow at the highest-leveled Pokémon he’d ever seen. "You’re not sending out Beedrill?"

"Beedrill?" Giovanni smiled. "You seem to know my Pokémon well. I didn’t bring it today—just this Rhyperior."

Rio nodded thoughtfully. Then he tossed out a Poké Ball and gave his first command: "Charizard, Flamethrower—evaporate all this water!"

"Roaar~" Charizard appeared and unleashed a torrent of fire, instantly filling the arena with steam.

Giovanni, who had expected Rio to attack first, paused. He was about to give Rhyperior a command, then held back.

On the other side, Proton—serving as referee—was completely dumbfounded. He stared at Rio as if he’d seen a ghost. His eyes slowly reddened. His mouth opened slightly, ten thousand curses forming in his mind.

He couldn’t understand it. I went out of my way to create a Water-type battlefield to give you an advantage—to increase your chances of winning—and you just go and destroy it?!

If trainers could fight each other directly, he’d rush over and strangle this little brat right now. What was he trying to prove? Was he so arrogant that he thought he could beat his boss on pure strength alone? If he actually won, Proton would go kill himself.

Calm down, calm down—the boss is right there. If he sees my expression and figures out my divided loyalties, I’ll be in real trouble.

Moments later, all the water in the arena had evaporated.

"There—now it’s fair," Rio said calmly.

He didn’t want an unfair battle—especially knowing that Giovanni hadn’t brought his strongest Pokémon, Beedrill. Giovanni had shown him respect, so Rio would show it in return. He wanted to fight fair and square—to test his skills against the most beloved villain boss in Pokémon history.

Giovanni looked at Rio with even more appreciation. This kid has a bit of my style.

"Then let’s start in ten minutes—let your Charizard rest."

"Fine."

Ten minutes later, with the referee’s signal, the battle between Giovanni and Rio officially began.