Crawling out from the cave, both Giovanni and Logan looked like they'd been through a sandstorm. Although Logan had carefully picked a spacious tunnel beforehand—one that offered both protection from a sneak attack and room for Gabite to maneuver—it turned out that the wild Pokémon inside the cave posed just as much of a threat.
Paras hidden between rocks, Cubone hurling its bone boomerang from the shadows, Diglett and Dugtrio zipping through the tunnels like they owned the place, and the countless Zubat and Golbat that filled the air with screeches and bites—Logan felt like he'd barely made it through alive. Even his outfit, woven from the silk of Caterpie, had been shredded by Zubat fangs.
A nasty bruise covered his forearm—courtesy of a Cubone boomerang he'd failed to dodge. Even after spraying medicine on it, the ache persisted. Fortunately, Gabite 's energy field had been there to protect him—otherwise, the blow might have easily shattered his bones.
"Hahahaha! Finally, we made it out! I can't believe how deep that cave was!"
Giovannii burst into laughter as they both staggered out of the mountain's maw. His appearance was just as miserable as Logan's—his once-impeccable suit now hung in tatters. Still, his injuries were lighter, the mark of a man seasoned in the wilds.
For the Rocket Boss used to a life of command and comfort, this brutal trek stirred memories of his youth. The excitement on his face was unmistakable, and his tone was strikingly lighter.
"Whew… finally out," Logan sighed, brushing dust from his shoulders. Gabite stood in front of him, covered in scratches but still looking battle-ready. Its wild instincts were blazing, clearly eager for another fight.
"Hey, Uncle Giovanni… are you married?"
Having escaped the cave's danger, Logan felt more at ease. Glancing at the equally disheveled Giovannii, he tossed out a casual question.
After their fast-paced dash through the cave, the tension between the two had faded somewhat, and they'd grown a little closer.
"Of course I'm married. My kid's almost thirteen," Giovanni replied after a moment's pause, his usually stern features softening as he spoke.
"Then in two more years, they can become a trainer," Logan remarked, sensing the emotional undercurrent in Giovanni's voice.
"Haha, I'd rather they didn't. I had the same dream when I was young, but it's just too dangerous. Like earlier, getting chased through a cave by wild Pokémon—that's normal for a trainer. I'd prefer my kid to live a normal life. If possible, become a researcher instead."
Giovanni's voice drifted into a wistful murmur, lost in daydreams. "...Once we get back from Mt. Moon, I should go see them. It's been so long."
Yeah... so long. Almost ten years.
"You must be really busy with work, huh, Uncle Giovanni?"
"No choice. Gotta make a living and feed a bunch of subordinates. Besides being a geologist, I also do some business—trade across regions (smuggling), solve people's problems (arson and murder), constantly watch out for competitors (the Pokémon League), and pour most of my funds into research and innovation (human-Pokémon experiments). It's exhausting, but all of it's for the family."
Giovannii smiled warmly, looking almost serene. "Logan, you're still young. Someday, you'll fall in love a few times, worry about petty things. But remember—those aren't what matter. What matters is protecting your bonds, your family. If you can't even do that, you've failed as a man."
There was something sorrowful in Giovanni's expression, as if he were talking about himself—a man who'd already failed.
Logan stared wide-eyed at Giovanni. Was he… being lectured by the boss of a criminal organization? Was this his attempt to brainwash him into joining his "holy war cult"?
"Enough talk. You kids don't like hearing this kind of stuff. And besides… we're far from safe. In fact, I'd say the real danger's just beginning."
Giovanni's tone sharpened as he pointed to their surroundings. "We came out into a basin. Look—those slopes are smooth, not naturally formed. I'd bet anything this area is the hunting ground for Geodude and Graveler."
The words had barely left his mouth when Logan's ears caught a rolling sound. He turned his head and saw it—at the top of a slope, a Graveler had curled into a ball and was barreling toward them!
The Graveler seemed excited, having spotted prey. It rolled straight down the slope, gaining terrifying momentum, thunder echoing through the valley.
"Gabite , catch it!" Logan shouted.
Gabite darted forward, planting itself in Graveler's path. With bladed arms extended, it stopped the rolling Pokémon in its tracks. Sparks flew as gravel met scale, the screech of grinding stone filling the air. Gabite was pushed back step by step, deep furrows forming beneath its feet.
But its power prevailed—it stopped the attack.
With a mighty roar, Gabite lifted Graveler as if it were just a rock, and with monstrous force, crushed it. Gravel exploded in every direction.
"Don't let it recover! Stomp it out—Heavy Slam!"
A single earth-shaking stomp shattered the ground beneath them. Cracks spiderwebbed out in every direction, and the already-battered Graveler was reduced to dust.
Giovannii's eyes narrowed. This kid… he's dangerous. Ruthless to his enemies, gentle to his Pokémon, calm and decisive—he's a threat.
"Alright, Uncle Giovanni, I'll leave the rest to you. Watch your back!"
Without hesitation, Logan dashed ahead and leapt onto Gabite 's back. From the basin slopes all around, dozens of Geodude and Graveler began to appear—and among them, a monstrous Golem!
The sound of their rolling was deafening, shaking the earth. A storm of dust filled the basin, and the rocky wave surged toward them like a stampede. Any ordinary person would've been crushed in seconds.
"Too many! We're at a disadvantage in this low ground. Gabite, don't let them gather speed—Earthquake!"
With a mighty slam of its tail, Gabite sent seismic waves rippling outward. The battlefield shook violently. The enemy Pokémon—mid-roll—lost their balance, crashing into one another like billiard balls. Some were shattered from the sheer force of impact.
Nice. Logan's move had been perfect—using Earthquake to throw off the enemy's rhythm. Their greatest weapon—their rolling momentum—became their downfall.
Giovanni silently admired the move. He gripped the Poké Ball in his pocket, ready to act if necessary.
"Sand Tomb! Then charge and finish them all!"
At Gabite's command, the earth around them became a whirlpool of sinking sand. Geodude and Graveler were trapped, unable to escape. Standing tall on Gabite's shoulders, Logan surged forward like a swordsman from legend—slashing, slicing, and tearing through the enemy ranks with Dragon Claw.
Cries of defeat echoed across the battlefield. The lone Golem, watching from the slope, turned tail and fled in terror.
Logan stood proud atop Gabite, the two moving as one—a storm of destruction.
In just moments, all that remained were shattered stones. The once-mighty horde was reduced to silence.
Logan exhaled, exhaustion washing over him. Fighting alongside his Pokémon pushed both mind and body to the limit. Gabite panted heavily, spent after so many consecutive attacks and the grueling escape from the cave.
From behind came slow applause. Giovanni emerged from the settling dust, gazing at the battlefield littered with rubble. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
"Impressive, Logan. Truly. No wonder the League sings your praises. Even with the terrain stacked against you, you still wiped them all out. Any real rookie would've panicked and ended up buried here."
His tone grew more teasing. "But… wasn't it a bit cruel to finish off every last one? They were already badly injured."
"Graveler's biggest threat is Self-Destruct. If I had let them recover, they could've used it—injuring, maybe even killing, my Gabite. As its Trainer, I have a duty to protect it. Eliminating them was the only safe choice."
Logan's voice was calm, eyes locked on Giovanni.
"Hmph. Has anyone ever told you you're a bit too mature, Logan? Maybe… too mature."
Giovanni stepped forward. One meter away. The closest they'd been in days.
He looked at the exhausted Gabite, calculating.
From pocket to Poké Ball: 0.5 seconds. Beedrill's attack: 0.5 seconds. Total: one second to kill.
But Logan's hand was on his Master Ball. If he activated Mewtwo, it'd also take 0.5 seconds.
Giovanni couldn't be sure Mewtwo could react in time—but the odds were 50/50. Either Logan died, or he escaped.
But Giovannii? He was safe either way.
Logan wasn't thinking that deeply, but he knew. This… was the most dangerous moment since he'd begun his journey. He couldn't even recall Gabite —doing so would leave them open.
Sweat trickled down his temple. Gabite sensed his tension through their shared bond. Its eyes burned with barely contained rage.
The most dangerous moment of his journey—for both him, and his partner.
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