I am Giovanni

Chapter 48: Betrayal

Under the overwhelming pressure of Beedrill's aura, Mondo's veteran-level Beedrill was momentarily stunned for a few seconds.

The poison barb from the Gym-level Tentacruel, now lying on the ground, began to emit its potent scent and energy. The charging Tauros herd, already enraged, was now driven into a frenzy.

Under the allure of the powerful resource, the herd's leader was practically drooling, its eyes bloodshot with greed. Though it wasn't a resource of the same type, it could still provide a massive boost of energy to any Pokémon, and wild creatures cared little for the potential side effects.

The Tauros leader charged straight for Mondo.

Not just him, but the Pokémon at Mondo's side, after seeing the poison barb, could no longer suppress the greed in their own hearts. They, too, were eager to move. Devouring a treasure of this level could easily push them to the next stage of their own power.

Mondo also realized what was happening. Unlike his Pokémon, he instantly guessed Giovanni's plan. His face first showed surprise, then twisted into a mask of extreme rage and killing intent.

"Brat!" he shrieked. "You dare to trick me!"

At that moment, Giovanni's Beedrill was already lifting him into the air, fleeing sideways. Before, Mondo had been following too closely for him to escape— but now, with Mondo and his team as the new target of the stampede, he had his chance.

He knew the Tauros wouldn't be able to kill a trainer of Mondo's caliber, but they would certainly injure him and his Pokémon, buying Giovanni precious time. Escaping now was the only correct choice.

Under the allure of the poison barb, Giovanni was completely ignored.

"MOOOO!" the Tauros roared, a wave of pure, thundering fury. They rushed past like a thousand charging rhinos, and Mondo and his Pokémon were instantly engulfed.

Giovanni didn't stop for a moment. The sense of crisis hadn't dissipated. He knew Mondo wasn't dead. As his Beedrill flew out of the stampede's path, he ran straight into Archer and Sam.

Seeing Giovanni unharmed, Archer breathed a sigh of relief. The sudden release of tension made him call out involuntarily, "Boss, are you alright?"

Giovanni, his face grim, was set down by his Beedrill. "I'm fine. Let's go, now. Or there will be trouble."

This was the first time Archer had seen Giovanni look so serious. "What happened?" he asked, frowning.

"I'll tell you later," Giovanni said, already moving. Archer nodded and followed without another word.

But they had forgotten about the other person.

"Boss?" Sam had only just reacted. He had always thought Mondo was the one trying to get close to Giovanni. He never expected that Archer, his own partner, was already Giovanni's man.

Giovanni gave Sam a single, sharp glance. Archer's hand was already on his Poké Ball, and his Pokémon were tensed, exuding killing intent. He was the second strongest in the squad, just a step away from being promoted to a team leader himself. Sam, on the other hand, was the weakest. Under the sudden, hostile atmosphere, Sam couldn't help but shiver.

Just then, the ground at the edge of the stampede churned and cracked open— a disheveled Mondo was brought to the surface by his Dugtrio. His face was a twisted grimace, his eyes filled with venom. He was dizzy, enraged, and filled with a murderous intent that overrode all other reason.

The Tauros's charge had almost killed him. Four of his Pokémon were dead. The first to go was his unlucky Beedrill, which had been smashed to pieces. Then, two of his Arbok, drawn by the poison barb, had been trampled until their venom fangs burst from their mouths. His Gloom had also been turned into a pile of rotten mush, but not before it had used Sleep Powder with all its might, finally putting the Tauros leader to sleep. That was the only thing that had bought Mondo and his Dugtrio time to escape.

Having been tricked so thoroughly, Mondo now only wanted one thing: to kill Giovanni with his own hands.

"Giovanni, you damned rat!" he roared. "Where do you think you're going?! Archer, Sam, you two block him for me!" He looked at the magnificent Beedrill beside Giovanni, and his eyes filled with intense greed. He had seen its powerful potential. With a Beedrill like that, why would he even need Team Rocket? He could become a Pokémon hunter!

After he finished shouting, Giovanni and Archer's faces remained grim, but Sam's was filled with despair. "Brother," he stammered, "you're setting me up!" He turned to Giovanni. "Wait, I'm willing to serve..."

"Do it," Giovanni said decisively to Archer. "Kill him."

Archer instantly waved his hand. His Pokémon swarmed forward, their powerful attacks overwhelming Sam's Pokémon in an instant, devouring the energy organs from their fallen bodies.

As for Sam himself, the moment Giovanni gave the order, Beedrill's stinger pierced through his chest. With a forceful flick, his body was torn in two. Internal organs and blood splattered everywhere. He opened his mouth, but only a gurgle of blood came out before he could say anything.

He was lifted again by his Beedrill. "Go!" he shouted to Archer, who had also dealt with Sam's Pokémon. Archer's Golbat swooped down, lifting him into the air.

Seeing this, Mondo was first disbelieving, then roared with pure fury. "Archer, you dare to betray me?!"

"Idiot," Archer snorted back. "A mere squad leader. You think I would pledge my loyalty to you?"

Mondo frantically released his remaining Pokémon and gave chase.