Chapter 138: A Master's Acumen
The Primeape was a storm of pure rage. The moment it materialized, it began vibrating with furious energy, its eyes blazing as it bounced on the balls of its feet, ready to tear into its opponent.
Seeing this raw, unfocused aggression, Giovanni attempted to disrupt the enemy. "Tail Whip."
However, the command was useless. Primeape was beyond such influence. It leaped, a blur of fur and fury, launching itself directly at Rhyhorn.
"Dodge," Giovanni ordered. "Then, Tackle."
Rhyhorn reacted with surprising speed, sidestepping the flying assault before ramming its full weight into the monkey Pokémon, sending it tumbling through the air. Primeape landed deftly on its feet, its rage now focused.
"Scary Face," Giovanni commanded.
Rhyhorn's expression twisted into a monstrous visage. For a moment, Primeape was startled, its aggressive advance faltering.
It was only for a moment. "Do not fear it!" Kaito's voice boomed. "Fury Swipes!"
The Fighting-type's instincts took over. It shook off the fear and charged, its claws extended.
"Horn Attack." Giovanni's voice was a blade.
Rhyhorn's body flashed, its immense bulk moving with deceptive grace to evade the swiping claws. It lowered its head, then thrust upward, its horn aimed like a goring spear.
BANG!
Primeape twisted in mid-air, but the horn still caught it, sending it flying once more. It landed hard but was back on its feet in an instant, its rage escalating. Rhyhorn, however, did not stop. It lowered its head and charged, a living battering ram.
Kaito remained perfectly calm, a testament to his skill as a master. He waited until the last possible second. "Flip!"
Just as Rhyhorn was about to collide, Primeape leaped, using Rhyhorn's own head as a springboard to flip cleanly over its back, landing behind it.
"Now! Focus Energy!" Kaito roared— a powerful aura erupted from Primeape as it began to gather its power, preparing for a devastating blow.
Giovanni had no intention of allowing that. "Rock Blast."
Rhyhorn stomped, and the very earth seemed to answer. Shards of materialized rock formed in the air around it before launching themselves at the stationary Primeape.
Kaito frowned. "Abandon the charge. Dodge!"
Primeape was forced to break its concentration, leaping away as the rock projectiles slammed into the ground where it had just been standing, exploding with violent force.
The shockwaves buffeted it, but it escaped major injury. It scrambled to its feet, its eyes now burning with an even deeper, more furious rage.
"Dynamic Punch!" Kaito commanded with a cold snort.
Primeape swung its fist, and a ball of pure fighting energy smashed toward Rhyhorn.
"Drill Run," Giovanni countered without fear.
Rhyhorn's four hooves tore at the ground, then it charged, its horn spinning like a massive drill bit. It met the Dynamic Punch head-on, the two forces colliding in an explosion of energy and dirt. The close-range nature of the clash gave Giovanni the advantage.
"Stomp."
Rhyhorn reared up, bringing its massive foot down on Primeape with crushing force, sending the smaller Pokémon flying. Yet, Primeape's resilience was astonishing; it was back on its feet in a heartbeat.
As the battle raged, Kaito's expression shifted. "This Rhyhorn... you've captured it recently, haven't you?" he observed, his eyes sharp. "Your commands are precise, but the synergy is not there. Not like with your Nidorino or Machoke."
Giovanni did not reply, continuing to press the attack.
A smirk touched Kaito's lips. He had found the weakness. "Primeape, Swagger!"
Primeape pounded its chest, letting out a bizarre, disorienting cry. Rhyhorn, whose will was not yet fully bound to Giovanni's, faltered. Its charge slowed, its eyes filled with confusion as it ignored Giovanni's commands.
Kaito seized the opportunity. "Get in close! Close Combat!"
Primeape was on Rhyhorn in an instant, a blur of fists and feet striking the massive Pokémon from all angles— a series of dull, wet thuds echoed across the field as Rhyhorn absorbed the brutal punishment, letting out a piercing shriek of pain.
Kaito swung his own fist through the air, the motion creating a sharp sonic boom. "Finish it! Seismic Toss!"
Primeape grabbed Rhyhorn's thick leg. With a roar of exertion, it began to swing the massive Pokémon around its head like a windmill, faster and faster, before finally heaving it into the air.
BOOM!
Rhyhorn crashed to the ground, its eyes swirling. It was unable to battle.
Giovanni did not show any discouragement. He calmly recalled his Pokémon.
"That was well-fought," Kaito said, his voice holding genuine respect. "To achieve that level of coordination with a new Pokémon is surprising." He gestured to the field. "Send out your next."
Giovanni nodded, releasing Persian.
This time, Kaito was truly taken aback. "A Senior-Level Pokémon. You continue to exceed my expectations." He straightened his back, his expression twisting into a ferocious grin, his gaze intensely fervent. "I truly hope you grow strong quickly. Reach my level. When you challenge me again, I will go all out. I will enter the arena myself, and we will decide who is superior!"
Giovanni smiled faintly. "I will— but this battle is not yet over."
"Indeed," Kaito agreed, his demeanor growing serious again. "But know this, young man. Even if you win today, the Indigo League tournament begins soon. You lack the time to collect the other seven badges. The badges from this season will be useless for the next."
"I see," Giovanni replied. In his focus on his primary objectives, he had overlooked that detail. The gym challenge had only ever been a means to an end.
"Regardless," Kaito boomed, "a battle begun must be finished! Continue!"
"Of course," Giovanni said, waving a hand. "Nasty Plot."
A cunning, malevolent glint appeared in Persian's eyes as its special attack power skyrocketed.
"Focus Energy!" Kaito countered— but it was too late. Giovanni and Kaito shouted their final commands almost simultaneously.
"Power Gem!"
"Cross Chop!"
Brilliant, crystalline gems of pure energy materialized around Persian, firing beams of devastating light that struck the already-scarred Primeape. The Cross Chop it was attempting to execute dissolved into nothingness.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Primeape, the victor of the previous round, collapsed without ceremony, utterly defeated by Persian's overwhelming power.