I am Giovanni

Chapter 91: The Guts to Win

As the white light grew brighter, a tremendous force erupted from within it, forcefully breaking the Arbok's Bind. Machop's originally small body began to expand and become more robust. When the white light dissipated, a muscular figure, 1.69 meters tall and weighing 85 kilograms, made a grand entrance.

Machoke.

It was entirely gray, covered in strong muscles, with two large pectoral muscles like armor, a belt around its waist, and a pattern resembling black shorts. Releasing all the nutrients it had absorbed, its level jumped directly from twenty-seven to thirty-one, successfully reaching the senior level. It had also learned the move Dynamic Punch.

"It actually evolved during a battle?!" Tyson looked on, shocked. In all his years as a trainer, he had never encountered such a situation.

"MACHOKE!" the newly evolved Pokémon roared. It used Dynamic Punch, its muscles bulging, and easily broke free of the Arbok's hold. Then, with its wide palm, it grabbed the snake Pokémon's tail, a sinister grin on its face. Under the Arbok's terrified gaze, it lifted the Pokémon and began to violently slam it from side to side.

Bang! Bang, bang!

The ground was slammed into a large pit. After a series of brutal Slams, the Arbok's body was a soft, muddy mess, its bones shattered. From its wide-open mouth, a pile of ruptured internal organs and streams of fresh blood gushed out. It was dead.

Having finally evolved and avenged itself, the Machoke heavily pounded its chest, letting out a joyful roar. "MACHOKE!"

"My Arbok!" Tyson cried out in pain. He shot a venomous glance at Giovanni, then turned his gaze back to the sky, but his pupils suddenly constricted.

— — —

A moment earlier, the battle between Beedrill and the two flying Pokémon had been equally fierce.

"Golbat, use Screech!" Tyson sneered. The Golbat emitted a piercing sound wave that cut through the air like sharp blades.

"Endure it, Beedrill, then use Venoshock!" Giovanni commanded, having great faith in his partner. Beedrill was only slightly uncomfortable and quickly endured it, its abdomen surging as it launched a stream of green venom towards the Golbat.

"Quick Guard!" Tyson shouted. The Golbat crossed its wings, a faint light forming a protective shield that blocked the attack. "Fearow, you too! Use Drill Peck!"

The Fearow immediately joined the battle, charging towards Beedrill like a bolt of lightning, its beak spinning like a drill.

"Don't panic," Giovanni said calmly. "Use Pin Missile." Beedrill immediately launched a volley of sharp needles, enveloped in energy, which shot towards the Fearow and produced a series of violent explosions. The Fearow was blasted back, tumbling and dodging in the air, its feathers scattered.

"Very good," Giovanni waved his hand. "Keep this rhythm. Hone Claws, then Fury Cutter!"

Beedrill lightly tapped its twin stingers, a sharp aura emanating from its body. It flapped its wings, transforming into a golden afterimage, and used Fury Cutter, its twin stingers becoming streaks of sharp blade light that cut towards both the Golbat and the Fearow. 

However, as senior-level Pokémon, they were not so easily defeated.

"Poison Fang! Aerial Ace!" Tyson roared, his expression grim.

The Golbat immediately used Poison Fang to counterattack, flapping its wings rapidly to appear in front of Beedrill.

"Harden!" Giovanni sneered. Beedrill quickly used the move, raising its metallic-glowing twin stingers to block. The Golbat's fangs bit into the stingers, but only left a few white marks, unable to cause any substantial damage. Meanwhile, the Fearow used Aerial Ace, its body folding back as it rushed towards Beedrill like a whirlwind.

Bang!

This time, the attack truly hit. Beedrill was sent flying, spitting bug blood, a dent in its body.

"U-turn!" Giovanni called out, his face cold.

Beedrill stabilized itself, and after flapping its wings, it quickly turned back, swinging its twin stingers and forcing the Fearow to tumble and dodge— but it was still hit, several large bloody holes appearing on its body.

"Supersonic!" Tyson roared. The Golbat opened its mouth wide and used the move directly at Beedrill. Waves of sound spread out, causing it immense pain. "Now, Air Cutter! Drill Peck!"

Streams of Air Cutter flew out, incredibly sharp. Though Beedrill raised its stingers to block, it was still hit, and gruesome wounds appeared on its body. At that moment, the Fearow flew over, and a powerful Drill Peck attack knocked Beedrill from the sky, slamming it heavily onto the ground.

This connected to the previous moment.

"I want your Beedrill to die!" Tyson roared ferociously.

At that moment, a senior-level Weezing suddenly appeared in the sky. It used Heat Wave, and the scorching gale repelled both the Golbat and the Fearow. Another group of people appeared from all directions—more Squad Leaders.

The one leading them respectfully called out to Giovanni. "Lord Giovanni, I am Charlie, Lord Ank's subordinate. Don't be afraid, we are here to help you!"

Giovanni turned his head and spoke coldly. "Do I need your help?"

Charlie's smile instantly stiffened. He had specifically waited until Giovanni seemed to be in trouble before acting, hoping to gain his favor. Yet Giovanni was so ungrateful. If it weren't for his astonishing strength and potential, he would have turned around and left.

But did Giovanni truly need his help?

Buzz, buzz!

The sound of wings flapping continuously echoed. Under Charlie's shocked gaze, the wounded Beedrill slowly rose. Its body was covered in injuries, yet its aura was incredibly ferocious.

Its ability, Swarm, had activated. Full power.

— — —

Machoke

Fighting-type

Male

Aptitude: Blue

Ability: Guts (raises the ability-bearer's Attack by 50% when inflicted by a major status ailment (poison, burn, paralysis, freeze or sleep). If burnt, the Pokémon does not suffer the usual drop in Attack.)

Level: 31

Height: 1.69 m

Weight: 85kg

Moves: Low Kick, Glare, Focus Energy, Revenge, Low Kick, Knock Off, Scary Face, Seismic Toss, Dynamic Punch

Egg Moves: None