The battle between Giovanni and Red continued to rage on.
On the field, two ancient Paradox Pokémon were locked in fierce combat.Red's Roaring Moon was overwhelmingly powerful.
Holding the advantage in the air, Roaring Moon was tripped a couple of times by Stealth Rock, but because Great Tusk lacked any flying capability, even its follow-up attempts failed—Roaring Moon easily evaded them.
In fact, when Great Tusk rashly leapt skyward, it was struck instead.
However, before going down, Great Tusk's Play Rough still managed to graze Roaring Moon, dealing significant damage.
"Good thing that Play Rough didn't fully connect," Leaf muttered softly."Otherwise, Roaring Moon would've been seriously crippled."
Great Tusk had fallen—but Roaring Moon had paid a price as well.
Thankfully, Roaring Moon retreated in time.If it had been fully struck by Great Tusk's desperate Play Rough, the damage would have been devastating.
"Tch! Red was careless there," Blue frowned deeply.
Though Great Tusk was defeated, Roaring Moon's condition had dropped considerably—it wasn't a particularly profitable exchange.
Then Giovanni's fourth Pokémon appeared—and it stunned everyone.
It wasn't a Ground-type.
It wasn't Kangaskhan.
It was Persian.
Yes—Persian, evolved from Meowth.
PersianNormal-type — Classy Cat PokémonAbility: TechnicianMoves: Fake Out, Play Rough, Power Gem, Nasty Plot…
Description:The gem on its forehead shines brilliantly.Its movements are elegant and regal, like a queen.
"Persian?" Blue froze.
He knew Giovanni owned one—and clearly treasured it.After all, Giovanni's official Elite Four portrait featured Persian beside him.
But as far as Blue knew, Giovanni had never used this Persian in an official battle before.
"That's Giovanni's old partner," Dylan said with a light chuckle."It seems he's taking this match extremely seriously."
Beedrill was obviously out of the question—using it publicly would expose his identity.
But Persian was different.
It had never been revealed.
And now, Giovanni could finally bring it out.
"But… Persian's stats aren't that impressive, are they?" Blue questioned.
He was a pure power-gamer—his teams always prioritized raw strength.
Even with his outstanding training ability, Blue knew one thing well:
Base stats were innate.
If you invested the same resources into a Pokémon with higher natural potential, it would simply end up stronger.
And Persian?
Honestly speaking—its base stats were nothing special.
"A Pokémon's strength isn't determined solely by base stats," Dylan shook his head."If Giovanni is confident enough to use Persian here, then it's undoubtedly powerful."
He didn't bother adding that Giovanni had once trained Beedrill into a monster—training Persian to an elite level was hardly impossible.
Blue's reasoning wasn't wrong in theory.
But he overlooked one thing:
Time.
Blue and the others had only been Trainers for about two years.
Giovanni?
He had spent longer training Pokémon than Blue had been alive.
With that much time, effort, and resources—combined with Giovanni's own ability—
Even if Persian wasn't as strong as Beedrill, could it really be weak?
"…That makes sense," Blue admitted after some thought.
On the Field
The battle between Persian and Roaring Moon began.
With Fake Out, Persian moved at blinding speed—slapping Roaring Moon square in the face and forcing it into flinching.
Under Giovanni's command, Persian did not follow up with an attack.
Instead, while falling back to the ground, it used Nasty Plot.
Persian's Special Attack sharply rose.
"So cautious…" Rosa exclaimed in surprise."If Persian had followed up with Play Rough, Roaring Moon might've gone down immediately."
"But there was a risk," Alder said succinctly."Roaring Moon was airborne. Persian can't fly."
If Roaring Moon recovered mid-attack and countered, Persian's position would have collapsed instantly.
Giovanni fought aggressively—but with absolute stability.
Roaring Moon then dove down in pursuit.
Persian's movements were astonishingly agile, dodging cleanly.
Roaring Moon tried Dragon Rush—
But Persian evaded again and immediately countered with Icy Wind, landing a perfect hit.
Icy Wind wasn't normally strong.
But boosted by Technician, its power surged close to Ice Beam—and Persian had already used Nasty Plot.
The damage to Roaring Moon was enormous.
Persian dashed behind it and used Play Rough.
Roaring Moon reacted instantly, twisting midair and striking first with Dragon Claw—
But Persian didn't retreat.
Play Rough slammed down, and Roaring Moon was defeated.
No doubt about it.
Persian taking down Red's ace was proof enough of its terrifying strength.
Red paused briefly—then sent out Pikachu.
A classic "cat and mouse" matchup.
Both Pokémon were swift and highly agile—extremely entertaining to watch.
For Red, this outcome wasn't bad at all.
He had expected Pikachu to struggle greatly against Giovanni.
But aside from Kangaskhan, Giovanni had revealed Persian—
And in the end…
Persian and Pikachu knocked each other out.
The battle had reached its final stretch.
Giovanni's fifth Pokémon was revealed—
Mega Kangaskhan.
Red's fifth Pokémon was Tornadus.
At first glance, Tornadus clearly held the advantage.
Mega Kangaskhan couldn't fly.
Tornadus dominated the air and possessed immense Special Attack.
But reality told a different story.
The moment the battle began—
Mega Kangaskhan opened with Fake Out, grabbing Tornadus's arm and trying to forcibly drag it down from the sky.
Tornadus reacted quickly, blasting Mega Kangaskhan with Leaf Storm mid-grapple.
But Kangaskhan answered with Thunder Punch.
With Parental Bond, the electric strike dealt massive damage.
Electric-type attacks heavily counter Flying-types.
Fortunately, Leaf Storm's power was overwhelming—it blasted Kangaskhan away, allowing Tornadus to break free.
If Tornadus had truly been dragged to the ground…
That would've been embarrassing for a pure Flying-type incarnation.
The rough start didn't shake Red's composure.
Mega Kangaskhan's Parental Bond was terrifying—but its anti-air options were limited.
Under Red's training, Tornadus was exceptionally strong.
Leaf Storm rained down again and again.
After several failed attempts and heavy damage, Giovanni decisively recalled Mega Kangaskhan—
And sent out his true ace.
Landorus (Therian Forme).
Landorus vs Tornadus.
A clash between legendary "Forces of Nature."
And the legends proved true.
Tornadus was no match.
Though Landorus took significant damage under Red's command—
Tornadus fell first.
At that point, Red had only one Pokémon left.
Charizard.
"Holy—Giova—Mr. Giovanni is really going to the finals!" Lance whispered excitedly.
As expected of the boss.
Even without Team Rocket, he could still stand at the very top of the world!
"Calm down," Apollo whispered back, eyes shining."Wait until it's actually over!"
On the Field
"I told you already, Red," Giovanni said, recalling Landorus and sending out Mega Kangaskhan again."You cannot defeat me."
He couldn't use Beedrill—
But even without it, he was still the strongest man in the world.
Stronger than his own past peak.
"I haven't lost yet," Red replied calmly.
But beneath the shadow of his cap, his crimson eyes burned brighter than ever.
He had been pushed to the brink.
And it felt… amazing.
"Oh?" Giovanni chuckled."You only have Charizard left."
"Do you really think your Charizard can defeat both my Kangaskhan and Landorus?"
"Yes," Red answered without hesitation.
Giovanni froze—then laughed.
Interesting.
Did Red truly believe he could win?
"Charizard!"
Red threw his final Poké Ball.
Charizard roared, landing heavily in front of him.
Red raised his left hand.
The Key Stone on his glove blazed with light.
Charizard's Mega Stone resonated—
Brilliant light engulfed its body.
When the glow faded—
Mega Charizard X raised its head and unleashed roaring blue flames.
Giovanni's grin widened, his posture hunching slightly.
He was thrilled.
Final Clash
Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Charizard X charged at each other.
Dragon Claw vs Mega Punch!Fire Punch vs Rock Slide!Dragon Rush vs Double-Edge!
In the end—
Mega Charizard X's final Focus Punch smashed Mega Kangaskhan to the ground.
The Mega Evolution faded.
"ROAR!!"
Charizard X unleashed blazing flames skyward, fresh wounds covering its body—its fighting spirit raging.
"Hehehe…"
Giovanni recalled Kangaskhan, staring at the Poké Ball for a long moment before lifting his head.
"As expected… Red, you really are formidable."
He threw out Landorus once more.
Therian Landorus hovered before him, eyes locked onto Charizard X.
"Your Charizard X is strong," Giovanni said darkly."But can you defeat a legendary?"
Malice surged in his eyes.
"Dragons… cannot defeat me!"
His voice was low, hoarse—almost a declaration.
He would win.
Especially against a Dragon-type.
The one thing Giovanni could never lose to—
Was Dragons.
Red answered with action.
The battle erupted.
Landorus held a slight edge in close combat—Charizard X had been Intimidated at the start.
So Red switched tactics.
Charizard X's Special Attack was still formidable.
The clash intensified.
Both Pokémon became battered and exhausted.
At last—
Landorus unleashed Sandsear Storm at full power.
Charizard X answered with Blast Burn, erupting like a volcano.
The explosion shook the stadium.
Seconds passed.
Charizard X and Landorus collapsed to the ground, barely standing.
The entire arena held its breath.
Apollo and the others silently urged Landorus on.
Leon, Gloria, everyone—eyes unblinking.
Blue clenched his fists.
Charizard—fight like you did against my Blastoise!
Time passed.
Then—
Under Giovanni's widening eyes—
Landorus's strength finally failed.
Its body tilted… and fell.
Thud.
Landorus was down.
Giovanni stood frozen, staring at his fallen ace—
Utter disbelief etched across his face.