I am Giovanni

Chapter 35: Submission

Though the Nidoran was wary of the Kakuna, it wasn't afraid. It was simply unclear on its opponent's strength and didn't dare to act rashly. Wild Pokémon rarely encountered a Kakuna.

The Beedrill family were colony-dwelling creatures, and a vulnerable Kakuna would be placed in the most secure location, guarded by a swarm of its evolved brethren. A low-level Nidoran would have never seen one before.

Giovanni could tell that this Nidoran was not weak. This was not going to be easy. He was naturally attuned to Ground-type Pokémon, but this Nidoran was still a pure Poison-type— a stalemate wouldn't last forever.

"Nido! Nido!" it barked again, this time launching a tentative Poison Sting at the Kakuna.

Giovanni wasn't worried. Given Kakuna's hardness, this Nidoran couldn't possibly break its defense. As if to prove his point, Kakuna's body glowed slightly as it used Harden. The already incredibly tough cocoon became even harder.

Clink, clink, clink!

The poison needles bounced harmlessly off the shell, creating tiny sparks. The Kakuna was completely unharmed, but the sight of its impervious defense made the Nidoran take a few more steps back. Coupled with Giovanni's confident, unwavering demeanor, it became even more wary.

Giovanni saw this and decided to press his advantage. He would bluff. "Nidoran," he said, his voice cold and commanding. "Submit to me."

A powerful aura rose from Giovanni, as if he were a king giving an order. The Nidoran stared at him and slowly lowered its body, appearing as if it was about to submit— but the defiance and cunning in its eyes betrayed its true intentions.

And Giovanni saw it all. He could sense the Nidoran's energy gathering, its power increasing.

The cunning little creature was using Focus Energy. It had sensed that something was wrong. If the Kakuna was so strong, why hadn't it attacked? Giovanni's bluff had confirmed its suspicions.

After gathering its energy, it charged straight at Giovanni. It was a wild, headlong rush. The Kakuna beside him shifted, agitated, but Giovanni held up a hand.

"Not yet," he said. "I can handle this. If I can't, I'll recall it."

The moment the Nidoran lunged, Giovanni leaped into the air, narrowly dodging the attack. The Nidoran crashed headfirst into the wall with a loud bang, stunning itself. Giovanni seized the opportunity and kicked its side with all his might. The blow sent the small Pokémon tumbling.

However, Giovanni's shoe was now stained black. Poison. If he guessed correctly, this Nidoran's ability was Poison Point. He had only barely been pricked. If he took a full dose of its venom, his small body wouldn't be able to handle it.

The Nidoran, thick-skinned and resilient, shook off the kick. It rolled to its feet and leaped, aiming a sharp Peck at Giovanni's chest. He hastily swung his dagger, blocking the attack.

Clang!

A tremendous force traveled up his arm. "Get lost!" he gritted out, shoving the creature away. But the Nidoran was relentless, immediately rushing back for another attack.

"Annoying little thing," Giovanni cursed. The trouble with Poison-types was how easily one could get poisoned.

Poisoned?

Then he remembered. He still had half a bottle of Antidote left. A slow, cruel smile spread across his face. If he no longer had to fear the poison, then handling this little brat would be easy. When it came to being ruthless, Giovanni had never been afraid.

To help its master, Kakuna once again directed its intent towards the Nidoran. This time, the Nidoran wasn't afraid. It turned and unleashed a quick combo of Poison Stings at the Kakuna. The needles bounced off harmlessly, but it seemed to feel good doing it.

But with its attention diverted, Giovanni had his opening. He kicked the Nidoran again, sending it sprawling. This time, he didn't back away. He lunged, pinning the creature to the ground with his hand, pressing down on the side of its head. The short, poisonous barbs on its back dug into his palm, and blood began to flow freely.

Potent venom surged into his body from the wound. His hand was already starting to feel tingly and numb— a hint of triumph flashed in the Nidoran's eyes. It knew the potency of its own venom. The human child would not survive. Soon, he would be a swollen, purple corpse.

Just wait and die! Nidoran will never be a slave!

But Giovanni's expression remained cold. He pulled out his dagger and stabbed it into the Nidoran's flank.

Thud.

The intense pain made the Nidoran's eyes widen, and it began to struggle wildly. Under its immense strength, it almost broke free. But Giovanni's own long training, coupled with the constant enhancement from the power of Viridian, had made him strong. He was in a state of pure, adrenaline-fueled fury.

Veins bulged on his arms. His eyes were bloodshot. He ignored the poison, ignored the pain, and threw his entire body onto the Nidoran, letting its barbs scrape and prick him. He just kept raising his dagger and stabbing, not aiming for a fatal blow, but for pain.

The Nidoran cried out in agony, its own blood now flowing freely. It felt a deadly crisis. It was afraid. Looking at Giovanni's cold, merciless face, a primal fear appeared in its eyes.

At that moment, Giovanni flipped the dagger, aiming its sharp tip at the Nidoran's eye. The cold steel gleamed. The Nidoran whimpered, the threat of death making its soul tremble.

Whoosh!

The dagger suddenly dropped. The Nidoran squeezed its eyes shut and let out a pig-like shriek, but the imagined pain never came. The tip of the dagger was just a hair's breadth from its eye.

Giovanni's cold voice rang in its ear. "Submit to me. Or die."

If the Nidoran dared to refuse, the dagger would fall— and Giovanni truly, absolutely, would kill it.

"Nido..." it whimpered. It nodded its head fearfully, submission finally appearing in its eyes. It was truly afraid of this human. This boy was a monster.