A few seconds later.
The towering, mountain-like pressure receded like the tide, as though it had never existed.
But Lambda, still embedded in the floor, could attest that everything had been real.
Otherwise, why would he have willingly buried himself in the ground?
Even a child could tell that was impossible.
Suppressing his trembling, Lambda pushed himself up with shaking arms, barely managing to stand.
His legs quivered uncontrollably, like sieves in a storm.
To be honest, it was genuinely terrifying.
Not just for humans—even among Pokémon, he had rarely encountered such a horrifying presence.
This level of pressure... it had to be at least on par with a Legendary Pokémon.
What was even more unbelievable was that such an aura originated from a human.
No, perhaps not human at all.
Lambda felt he had uncovered the truth.
What human could be this terrifying?
It must be a Legendary Pokémon in human form!
That had to be it.
Rumors said some Legendary Pokémon possessed the ability to transform into humans—perhaps he had encountered one today.
Whether this was good or bad luck, he couldn't say.
"Ahem..."
"Boss Giovanni... isn't currently at the Viridian Gym," Lambda forced out cautiously, his voice subdued and his back slightly hunched.
The sheer intensity of Akira's presence made Lambda instinctively lower his voice and adopt the posture of a subordinate facing a superior.
Akira remained expressionless.
"Call him back."
"If he's late, you won't be needed anymore."
Lambda's heart nearly stopped at the threat. He nodded frantically, promising to get Giovanni back as soon as possible.
His life now hung on Akira's whim.
...
Beep—
A notification chimed.
In a brightly lit room,
Giovanni sat in his office chair, his hair slicked back and dressed in a crisp suit.
A robust Persian lounged across his lap—a favored companion that often stayed by his side.
Giovanni had a stern, square-jawed face with piercing eyes,
as though possessing the ability [Keen Eye].
Giovanni glanced sideways.
Seeing Lambda's name on the communicator, he answered without hesitation.
If he recalled correctly, Lambda should have been stationed at the Viridian Gym.
The next moment, a panicked voice erupted:
"Boss Giovanni, come quick!"
"My life's on the line here!"
Giovanni: ?
Was this really Lambda speaking?
Though Lambda could be somewhat unreliable at times, his strength was something Giovanni acknowledged.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have qualified as one of the Four Generals, a high-ranking executive in Team Rocket.
Yet now, one of his trusted Four Generals was sobbing for help?
Had the League made a move?
After a moment of contemplation, Giovanni asked gravely,
"Lambda, what happened there?"
Lambda hesitated, then tried to phrase the situation in a way that didn't sound utterly absurd.
"That's how it is. I was at the Viridian Gym when a... certain individual arrived, demanding to see you by name."
"I... simply couldn't resist."
As he spoke, Lambda looked ashamed.
As one of Team Rocket's famed Four Generals, being defeated so easily was humiliating.
Now he had to recount the incident to Boss Giovanni himself.
It was truly awkward.
[An individual?]
[Couldn't resist?]
Giovanni's eyes gleamed thoughtfully.
It seemed a powerful figure had arrived—someone far beyond Lambda's capabilities.
In that case, he would indeed have to meet this person face to face.
What audacity, summoning him by name like this.
Let's see if this person would still be so bold when begging for mercy on their knees.
He'd better make some extra preparations, just in case.
Giovanni snorted coldly.
"Understood. I'm on my way."
Beep—
Hearing the call end, Lambda swallowed nervously before turning to Akira with an ingratiating smile.
"Sir, I've done as you asked."
"Perhaps I could—"
Before he could finish, a translucent jellyfish tentacle suddenly appeared at Lambda's waist, piercing into his body.
Nihilego's unique toxins flowed into his system.
Lambda's expression shifted through various emotions until finally, his gaze when looking at Akira was filled with pure loyalty.
"Your subordinate Lambda..."
"Pledges allegiance to you."
Akira gave a slight nod, then ordered Lambda to disclose all current information about Team Rocket's internal affairs.
As one of the Four Generals, few held higher clearance than Lambda.
He was the perfect source!
And when Giovanni arrived later...
He would undergo the same transformation as Lambda.
Brought under control. And through him, the entire Team Rocket.
"Ding!"
"Pokémon incubation complete!"
Akira was startled.
Before Giovanni could arrive, the incubated Pokémon had emerged first.
This Pokémon was incubated by Viridian Forest, though it seemed the forest and Viridian City were considered a single area.
That's why the incubation progress continued even while he was at the Viridian Gym.
What Pokémon would it be?
In other locations, he might have been able to guess, but Viridian Forest was unpredictable.
Known for its rich ecosystem, any kind of Pokémon could appear here.
Focusing his gaze, he saw:
The new Pokémon's body was divided into three segments with four legs.
Its head was round with two antennae, red eyes, and a pointed mouth.
Its abdomen was spherical, with all four legs attached to it. The tail had alternating yellow and black stripes ending in a venomous stinger.
Its slender legs and large, thick white needles on its forelimbs stood out.
Two pairs of wings adorned its back, covered in intricate patterns.
It was unmistakably a Beedrill.
Beedrill could fly at incredible speeds, repeatedly stabbing foes with the three poison stingers on its arms and tail.
No matter how fearsome the enemy, it would attack with its sharp stingers before carrying the prey back to its nest.
Hit-and-run tactics using its venomous stingers were its specialty.
It sounded impressive.
The problem was, Beedrill were common Bug-type Pokémon found everywhere in forests—hardly remarkable.
Akira wasn't particularly disappointed, treating it as just another entry for his Pokédex.
At his current level, only SS-tier Pokémon could serve as meaningful combat assets.
Name: Beedrill (Special Edition)
Ability: Sniper
Type: Bug, Poison
Strength: SS
Moves: Twineedle, Fury Swipes, Pin Missile, Fell Stinger...
[Rapid Growth]: Every time Beedrill defeats an enemy, its strength increases by one stage.
Each enemy can only trigger this effect once. The amount of strength gained depends on the enemy's power.
...
What does "Special Edition" mean?
What's so special about this Beedrill?
It actually has a Hidden Ability?
[Sniper] is Beedrill's Hidden Ability.
When landing a critical hit, the damage is 1.5 times that of a normal critical hit.
In other words, the damage becomes 2.25 times that of a non-critical hit.
Akira could still understand up to this point, but when he saw the strength rating, he nearly lost it.
SS rank??
Is this the kind of strength a Beedrill should have?
Akira was stunned, checking repeatedly to confirm he hadn't misread before finally accepting the truth.
This strength is almost on par with Giovanni's Beedrill, isn't it?
The special edition never explicitly stated what level Giovanni's Beedrill was at.
But it was shown that his Beedrill once chased after the Mythical Pokémon Deoxys.
This suggests Giovanni's Beedrill is at least SS rank.
Does (Special Edition) mean this is the Giovanni version of Beedrill?
Akira muttered to himself before continuing to read.
[Rapid Growth]: As long as Beedrill defeats an enemy, it gains a certain amount of strength.
This seems similar to how Pokémon gain experience points.
And that's pretty much the case, except compared to other Pokémon, this Beedrill can gain additional experience.
Its growth rate is much faster than other Pokémon.
Akira couldn't even imagine how this Beedrill would perform in a group battle.
A Sniper Beedrill could take out opponents one by one with [Fell Stinger].
With the damage boost from [Fell Stinger] and the massive experience gained, Beedrill could rapidly stack its strength.
After a single group battle, it would grow stronger and stronger!
Truly worthy of being a Special Edition Beedrill.
Akira silently marveled.
Time passed bit by bit.
Creak—
Suddenly, the sound of a door opening echoed.
In the light, a steady figure strode in.
The man was tall, with short black hair.
He wore a shirt with a red "R" printed on the chest, a black jacket over it, and black trousers.
Despite the simple attire, it carried a different aura on him.
His entire presence exuded an unshakable steadiness, like Mount Tai standing firm against wind and rain.
This was the man known as [Giovanni of the Earth].
Tap, tap...
Giovanni walked into his own Gym.
His sharp gaze immediately locked onto the far end.
Akira sat on the throne, his expression calm and unmoved as he watched him.
Like a deity silently observing a worshipper.
Beside him stood Lambda, silent and still.
So he's finally here.
Let's see just how much Giovanni is made of!