Giovanni's Pokémon would still pick their opponents; after all, there was no need to fight against type.
Nidoking and Rhydon, those two partners, faced off against the strongest Tauros.
Although there was some difference in strength, the two of them were very tanky, so even a Gym Leader Level mid-stage Tauros wouldn't be able to deal with them easily.
As for Persian and Machoke, they set their sights on Blastoise.
The main reason was that Persian and Machoke had much better mobility than Nidoking and the others, so even if Blastoise's moves were very powerful, they could quickly dodge them.
As for Beedrill, without a doubt, it faced Scyther alone.
The dignity of a Bug King meant that it couldn't rely on the strength of other Pokémon.
It had enough strength to deal with Scyther!
As for Haunter, it was the kind that would go wherever it was needed to help.
The scene first focuses on the battle between Blastoise, Machoke, and Persian.
As Giovanni's highest-level Pokémon and the one closest to Gym Leader Level, Persian was truly in its prime.
However, even so, it still couldn't snatch the top spot from Beedrill.
But this didn't mean its strength was insufficient.
Without waiting for Giovanni to speak, the two of them swiftly moved towards Blastoise and launched their attacks.
Captain Price's gaze was sharp, and he gave Blastoise an order:
"Blastoise, evade their attacks, then find an opportunity to counter with Flash Cannon!"
Hearing this, Blastoise's massive body quickly spun, as if transforming into a blue top, skillfully dodging Persian and Machoke's continuous attacks.
As it spun, its shell glowed, seemingly accumulating powerful energy.
Giovanni, on the other hand, was calm as he deployed tactics for Persian and Machoke:
"Persian, use Taunt to disrupt Blastoise's rhythm. Machoke, use Bulk Up, and prepare for Seismic Toss, waiting for Blastoise to reveal an opening!"
Hearing this, Persian immediately let out an irritating growl, Taunting Blastoise, trying to make it lose its composure.
Meanwhile, Machoke stood firmly on both feet, fists clenched, muscles bulging, using Bulk Up, ready to rush over and unleash a powerful Seismic Toss at any moment.
Under the Taunt, Blastoise indeed became somewhat agitated, but it was, after all, a powerful, battle-hardened Pokémon, and it quickly adjusted its mindset, preparing to counterattack.
Blastoise then used Flash Cannon; its body at this moment seemed to transform into a colorful disco ball, and beams of light with powerful force shot towards Persian and Machoke.
Persian was prepared, dodging the attack with a nimble sidestep.
Machoke, relying on its sturdy physique, endured some of the residual impact but was not seriously injured.
It seized the opportunity, lunged forward, embraced Blastoise, who was about to attack again, and while Blastoise was still in an animation, prepared to execute Seismic Toss.
Captain Price hurriedly shouted, "Withdraw into the shell!"
Upon receiving the command, Blastoise immediately chose to Protect itself.
Then, boom!!!
The ground shook, smoke billowed, a large crater formed, and nearby walls collapsed again; if this hadn't been the lowest floor, at least three or four floors would have caved in.
When the smoke cleared, Blastoise, almost unharmed, crawled out, "Kame!"
"Persian, use Swift to distract Blastoise!" Blastoise's defense was evident to all, and Giovanni didn't get discouraged, but quickly gave the command.
Persian immediately leaped up, its tail swinging, causing countless stars to shimmer around it; golden five-pointed stars, like a meteor shower, assailed Blastoise.
Captain Price passively commanded, "Protect!"
Seeing this, Blastoise immediately used Protect; a green shield formed around its body, blocking each of the Swift attacks!
Giovanni didn't give up there, "Now, use Power Gem!"
When the green light dissipated, Protect also ended.
Giovanni immediately changed tactics, having Persian use Power Gem, attacking Blastoise while it was unprepared!
Around Persian, brilliant gems formed from energy appeared; these gems, after rotating, suddenly shot out powerful beams of light!
They struck Blastoise almost instantly.
Even with a thick shell, taking such a hit would still cause Blastoise to suffer.
It let out a cry of pain, and a crack appeared on its shell!
Giovanni continued his next command without hesitation. "Machoke, good opportunity, use Low Kick."
Machoke approached Blastoise step by step, its legs kicking, stirring up gusts of wind; each attack directly struck Blastoise's lower body, attempting to knock it down.
Seeing this, Captain Price snorted coldly, but quickly regained his composure and gave Blastoise a new command: "Blastoise, use Aqua Tail to counterattack!"
Blastoise immediately adjusted its stance, its massive tail whipping like a whip, carrying a surging current of water, sweeping towards Persian and Machoke.
Seeing this, Machoke immediately used the Scary Face move, attempting to intimidate Blastoise and distract it.
However, Blastoise remained unfazed, and with the activation of its Torrent ability, the Aqua Tail attack became even more ferocious.
Giovanni instructed them:
"Slash! Double Chop!"
Persian and Machoke immediately teamed up to respond; Persian used Slash, and Machoke used Double Chop, attempting to block this Aqua Tail.
However, they were already somewhat rushed, and with the immense power of Blastoise's ability-boosted Aqua Tail, even their combined efforts could not fully withstand it.
"Bang!" With a loud crash, Persian and Machoke were sent flying by the powerful force of Aqua Tail, slamming into the wall.
Strike while the iron is hot.
Captain Price also understood this, and he quickly gave Blastoise a command:
"Blastoise, increase your power, then Hydro Pump!"
The cracks on Blastoise'sshell slowly widened, then burst open, revealing a new but somewhat fragile shell.
Immediately after, the cannons on its back rotated, and a powerful stream of water condensed into a blast, shooting towards Persian and Machoke.
Giovanni said to the Haunter behind him, "Give Machoke a small Curse."
Haunter reluctantly used Curse on Machoke; both Machoke and Haunter showed expressions of pain.
But Machoke, under the influence of its Guts ability, quickly recovered and became even more resolute, its aura rising again.
"Persian, use Protect to block this attack. Machoke, seize the opportunity to use Mega Punch!"
Persian reacted quickly, its body enveloped in green light, forming a solid defensive barrier, barely withstanding Blastoise's incredibly powerful Hydro Pump attack.
Although the protective light seemed to be on the verge of collapsing under the immense impact, it ultimately held on.