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The All Mighty Earth - Pokemon SI Chapter 31
🕑 Added 2023-10-01 16:11:41 +0000 UTCAsher's Team:
Lago - Rhydon
Crust - Golem
Sebastian - Nidoking
Selena - Nidoqueen
Seraph - Clefable
Barret - Dugtrio
Sonic - Sandslash
Death - Marowak
Colossus - Steelix
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Giovanni had to withhold a scoff as a poorly scrapped together wall of stone failed to block a Hyper Beam from his Garchomp and Asher's pokemon were forced back once again, their groans and cries of pain filling the ruined streets where their battle was taking place, though their endurance was admittedly impressive.
That's not to say Giovanni himself was impressed by Asher's pokemon per say. They were physically strong, but their attack's actual power was severely disappointing. Their movements were unrefined and sloppy whilst their attacks were middling at best, and mediocre at worst. They admittedly had incredibly fitness and physical ability, but that was simply it.
Their attacks were ungraceful, their movements were clumsy, and their inexperience was painfully apparent. These pokemon were years away from being on his level.
He was an Elite Four level trainer, close to Champion level, he was overqualified to be a Gym Leader. The difference between a Gym Leader and an Elite Four member is much higher than most people actually think. In fact, a Gym Leader on average likely wouldn't even be able to get an Elite Four member down to their third pokemon. Back in war-times only Samuel was able to defeat him for certain, and he was their undefeated Champion.
Asher? He was absolutely nothing compared to Giovanni!
Nothing at all.
A ball of luminescent pink energy burst from the dust and struck his Garchomp right on the underbelly before exploding with enough power to make the landshark roar with pain and rage as they were brought to their knees.
Giovanni frowned at the sight. Throughout their battle Asher had used that very same attack a few times, aiming specifically for his Garchomp, that told him whatever that move was, it's likely extra potent against his dragon.
Asher wasn't a complete fool, so that strange attack, Moonblast, is likely targeting his Garchomp for that exact reason. There was also the one who was using that attack, Asher's Clefable, who was able to endure a Draco Meteor with literally zero damage to speak of.
Giovanni honestly doubted that it was some special technique, so perhaps it had something to do with typing. It was like watching an electric-type move fizzle out against a ground-type.
Giovanni gave the smallest of smirks at the revelation. That must be it! Clefable have always been strange amongst normal-types, there have even been a few comments on how ineffective fighting-type moves are against their species despite them being normal-types! Maybe that's because they aren't normal-types, they're something else entirely!
"Sebastian, Selena, rain Sludge Bombs down on them! Lago use Ice Beam!"
Giovanni had to withhold a snort as a volley of Sludge Bombs were launched into the air to descend down on his team, likely as some hope of inflicting poison, but he wasn't worried. Poison-type moves obviously weren't something Asher had his pokemon practice often.
"Burn them away with Flamethrower, Garchomp counter it. Gastrodon, use Surf."
His Nidoking and Nidoqueen worked together to scorch away any Sludge Bombs shot their way, the orange flames evaporating the toxic substance, followed up by his Garchomp who unleashed a multi-coloured beam from their maw to match Asher's Rhydon.
Asher wasn't given any time to rest as his Gastrodon built up a massive wave of water that they let loose on the enemy's frontlines to wash them away.
The move caught dust and stone fragments as water crashed and washed over the many ground-types, with their roars and agonised cries making Asher grit his teeth as obvious panic expressed itself on his face that Giovanni instantly caught.
"What's wrong, are you finally realising just how outclassed you truly are, Asher! A child like you could never have beaten me, you didn't really expect to win did you?!"
The questions succeeded in making rage appear on Asher's face, but he didn't respond to the question and just settled for giving out another command. Likely in an attempt to avoid falling for the taunt.
"Seraph use Dazzling Gleam, the rest of you use Earth Power!"
Giovanni didn't wait before uttering." Crush them with Earthquake! Then Kangaskhan use Rock Smash!"
Asher's Team touched the ground to use Earth Power but, completely without warning, an Earthquake erupted on their side of the battlefield that rocked and shattered the streets, building crumbling and toppling over around them, as the beaten up pokemon were forced to take a knee. All except the Rhydon, who stubbornly refused to submit.
Tenacious thing it was. It annoyed Giovanni to no end how much they persisted. It was obvious that they weren't going to win, so why continue to torture yourself like this?! What's the point?!
Much to his immense satisfaction, a powerful Rock Smash from his Kangaskhan was enough to break that stubborn streak, with the Rhydon being blown away by a glowing orange fist that cracked it's tough rocky armour like glass, before the much larger pokemon was sent skidding backwards clutching their stomach as they did their best to force air into their lungs, finally taking a knee like the rest of the team.
They were finished. They'd hit their limit a long time ago, and only tenacity and willpower was making them stand again. Such traits would have been commendable in a soldier, but as an enemy it was just irritating.
Giovanni spoke coldly, not wanting to drag Asher's battle out any longer." They're vulnerable. End them."
Those words were all his ground-types needed as they rushed forward towards their vulnerable foes, their faces displaying no emotions as they prepared their individual attacks to lay waste to their foes.
Sweat dripped down Asher's forehead as he yelled with desperation in his voice, urging his partners to move." Get away from them, they're coming for us!"
His pleas went mostly unanswered as his smaller pokemon, being his Dugtrio, Sandslash, Golem and Marowak, picked themselves up shakily as they readied themselves to fightback.
Only they were never given the chance to.
Giovanni's Sandslash and Dugtrio both burst out of the ground between their opponents, catching Asher's pokemon off-guard, and struck whilst they were frozen with surprise.
Sandslash's claws extended and shined brightly with normal-type energy as a large X-slash cut deeply into Asher's own Sandslash's belly causing blood to splatter everywhere as the other Sandslash fell to the ground limp.
That's one down.
Though, Asher wasn't even given time to shout out to his injured pokemon, because three rapid Tri-Attacks were fired by Giovanni's Dugtrio that blew the three pokemon away. With his Dugtrio fainting when put under the wrath of their superior opponent.
That's two.
Asher's larger pokemon finally mustered the strength to rise to their feet, only to collapse one by one under the fearsome attacks of their opponents.
Giovanni's Marowak dived right on top of the still recoiling dual-wielding Marowak and brought down their club with a mighty downwards Bone Club. The younger member of their species tried to cross their clubs to successfully block the attack, but the ground-infused strike was too strong, and the weapons they were wielding easily gave way and shattered like they were made of cheap clay.
The Marowak had a devastated look in their eyes before the Bone Club followed through and slammed right into their skull, splitting the mask they wore up as broken fragments of the helmet flew off. Then, just for good measure, his Marowak sent them flying with a second well-placed Bone Club to land unconsciously among the broken and battered concrete roads of Viridian.
That's three down.
Asher's Nidoking raised their arms feebly in an attempt to block the incoming Superpower from Giovanni's own Nidoking, however an Earth Power broke their guard and damaged them further as they roared and their legs struggled to keep them steady as dust picked up.
The poison-type was left breathing heavily as their arms lost their strength, falling to their sides weakly as their vision blurred, their eyelids feeling too heavy to keep open.
However, the sight of their glowing orange counterpart reeling their arm back to attack that they caught once they burst through the debris was enough to make their guard open up once again.
Giovanni's Nidoking roared with rage as their glowing orange fist met the face of their opponent. Purple scales shattered instantly like glass under the impact as the other Nidoking was sent flying backwards to crash against the wall of a building that failed to halt their advance. Leaving them in a pile of rubble to drift into the sweet embrace of unconsciousness.
That makes four.
Asher backed away with terror and disbelief evident on his face as his Nidoqueen's defense was broken with a Rollout from Giovanni's Golem, then a series of Water Pulses from Gastrodon were enough to blow her away, the damp bombs of compressed water ruthlessly bombarding her hide as she toppled over and fainted.
That's five.
Giovanni laughed mockingly at Asher's expression as he spoke with venom in his voice." What did you honestly expect to accomplish here? Did you really think that a weak child like you could beat me? Don't make me laugh. I'm the very pinnacle of what a trainer can be, don't underestimate me, Asher. You were a fool for coming here."
Asher's fear fell off his face for a moment." Shut up you bastard! What the hell does a madman like you know about sense anyway-"
"No, you be quiet. The truth is you're a weak child that got arrogant because he could defeat a few weaklings at the Indigo Conference, but in reality you have no idea what true strength truly is. You will know the price of arrogance tonight when I take your life, along with the life of your pokemon!"
Giovanni honestly relished the look of realisation that turned into fear as the golden-eyed teenager began to back away from the ongoing battle. Giovanni knew that he wouldn't run though, he was too loyal towards his pokemon to simply flee when they were in so much trouble.
Asher's Clefable was blown away by a Giga Impact launched by his Garchomp, then a oozy ball of purple sludge that was shot by his Nidoqueen impacted it's skin before exploding violently. The result being the defeat of Asher's Clefable, who descended onto the ground with an ungraceful fall that indicated their unconsciousness.
Number six.
Asher's Rhydon stood alone, determined to protect their trainer, but in the face of an entire team their efforts proved futile. They met the Hammer Arm of Giovanni's Rhydon, the two attacks being evenly matched, however an incoming Water Pulse caught them off-guard as they faltered, causing him to get a Hammer Arm right in the gut.
Spittle and blood left their mouth as they slowly back away, weakly raising up their arm in a vain attempt to deliver another Hammer Arm they desperately put all their strength into one final attack. Only for it to get swatted away by their opponent and, almost like a testament to their weakness, a regular hook in the face was enough to put them down for good.
Finally, number seven.
Asher's eyes widened as his final pokemon fainted and he desperately reached down for an Ultra Ball in his belt, but Giovanni wouldn't allow him to release his Steelix. Quick as a flash, Giovanni's Sandslash swiped at his arm, causing his to scream out in pain as his right hand was brutally cut open. Blood splattered in the air as he dropped the yellow and black pokeball, Asher clutching his hand as he gritted his teeth. He managed to pick it up again, but a single glance at Giovanni, and he knew that if he tried anything then he'd be dead in a moment.
So, he put the pokeball away. Accepting his defeat.
Giovanni disdainfully spat out at the beaten trainer." You were a fool for coming here, Asher. Challenging me was a mistake, and you didn't accomplish a damn thing! In fact, you lost the moment you sent out your first pokemon!"
Giovanni's pokemon followed behind their master, ready for any order they might receive from their trainer. Asher was sweating furiously as he panted from both exhaustion, pain and fear. He'd long since lost his cocky persona, and was too scared to even twitch a finger.
A dark look crossed Giovanni's face as he stated." You have displayed great arrogance today. So, it's only right that you pay for it. But, killing you would be far too light a punishment." Giovanni turned his gaze onto the closest unconscious pokemon he could find.
Asher's Dugtrio.
Realising what Giovanni was planning, Asher desperately clambered forward with his uninjured hand stretched out." No! Don't-"
Seeing what he was planning, Giovanni's Sandslash moved like a blur and skilfully cut Asher's legs to topple him over before landing on his back with their claws pointed at his throat.
Giovanni was unimpressed by the attempts as his Nidoking brought their leg up to stomp down on Dugtrio's middle head." This is your punishment Asher. This is your fault. Make sure to remember that."
Asher could do nothing but watch, the horror clear in his eyes, as the purple behemoth brought up their their leg and he seemed to go a little mad in his eyes they prepared to execute his pokemon. His companion. His frie-
"GOLEMMM!!!"
With rage and determination clear in his voice, Asher's Golem erupted out from the ground using Dig and surprised everyone as they began to glow brightly, with light escaping the cracks in his rocky armour.
Giovanni hardly had time to utter a few words out." Nidoki-"
Then, without warning, the Golem exploded.
Comments
That cliff hanger will bring the police that are in the gym. By the size of the blast I think that Asher will either lose one of his Limbs or have a burn mark all red on his body. Let's see what happens next.
Retribrutus
You know, I know that Asher will take on the League after his conference win. But it would be interesting to see the option of him taking Giovanni's position as Viridian CIty's Gym Leader. Yeah, yeah, it'll be limiting for the SI and his future endeavors in other regions, but it will be the first time seeing an SI be inducted as the city's Gym Leader due to his own merit rather than inheriting it like Brock, Misty, and Sabrina.
