The tension in the gym was palpable as James and Michael prepared for battle. James, with his Sandile by his side, observed the challenger closely. Michael, wearing an arrogant expression, threw his Poké Ball into the air.
"Go, Squirtle!" he shouted, releasing his Water-type Pokémon.
The small Squirtle appeared with a gleam in its eyes, ready for battle. James smiled; he knew Sandile had the advantage in this matchup.
"Sandile, use Dig!" commanded James.
Sandile dashed forward and burrowed into the ground, its paws digging with determination. Then, with an agile leap, it burst from the earth and launched itself at Squirtle, who attempted to dodge but was hit squarely. The impact resonated in the air like distant thunder.
"Squirtle, use Bubble!" Michael shouted, but it was too late. Sandile had taken the lead.
"Sandile, keep attacking with Thunder Fang!" James ordered. During training, Sandile had learned many techniques from James's other Pokémon, including Thunder Fang taught by Arcanine. Sandile's fangs crackled with electricity as it charged toward Squirtle.
With speed and precision, Sandile continued its assault. Seeing his trainer stunned, Squirtle began to fight back on its own, blocking Thunder Fang by retreating into its shell. Then it avoided further attacks with Rapid Spin, distancing itself from Sandile.
"Squirtle, use Water Gun!" Michael finally reacted, instructing Squirtle to attack as it moved away from Sandile. Squirtle took advantage of the distance to shoot several jets of water.
"Hide underground, Sandile!" James commanded. Sandile obeyed and used Dig to conceal itself in the ground. Squirtle realized it couldn't hit below ground and ignored its trainer's command to focus on where Sandile might emerge.
Just as Squirtle scanned the area trying to sense where it would be attacked from, Sandile erupted from the earth and attacked using Thunder Fang at that moment; it completely weakened the young Squirtle, which lay exhausted on the ground with bite marks on its skin.
"Do you have another Pokémon?" James asked curiously as he looked at Michael.
Michael's face flushed with frustration. With a dramatic movement, he pulled out another Poké Ball from his shirt pocket and enlarged it with a flourish.
"Don't worry! I have one more!" he exclaimed as he released his Pokémon.
From the sphere emerged a massive Snorlax that landed with a thud that shook the gym floor. James observed Snorlax closely, understanding that this was a Pokémon given to Michael by his family for protection. The giant turned its head toward Michael with disdain as if questioning why it needed to fight for him.
"This isn't good," James thought as he braced himself for the next round—Snorlax was a formidable Pokémon.
Michael grinned arrogantly at seeing his Snorlax in action. "Now you'll see what real fighting is!" he shouted while commanding: "Snorlax, use Body Slam!"
"Dive into the ground, Sandile!" James ordered knowing that according to gym rules only the challenger could withdraw their Pokémon; Sandile obeyed and dug just before being crushed by the enormous Pokémon. Even without touching Sandile directly, Snorlax's Body Slam created a mini earthquake that caused some damage to Sandile.
James considered stopping the battle but knew that doing so would give Michael the victory; instead, he thought of a way to win or at least try—"Sandile, come out and use Sandstorm!" James commanded.
Sandile emerged from the earth and gathered energy before releasing it from its body to create a large sandstorm that obscured Snorlax's vision and inflicted passive damage.
"Now stay hidden and at a distance while using Hone Claws," ordered James. Sandile complied and maintained distance while using Hone Claws to boost its Attack and Accuracy.
Snorlax watched patiently and lazily while shielding its eyes slightly from the flying sand. "Snorlax do something! Defeat him!" Michael began to panic. Snorlax stood up where it was and just as it was about to attack received a Mud-Slap in its eyes disorienting it and lowering its accuracy.
Sandile was going to continue attacking from a distance when Snorlax exploded into an abnormal speed for its species and delivered an Ice Punch directly to Sandile weakening it significantly.
James felt a pang of worry for his partner. "Sandile, return!" he said quickly while recalling him into his Poké Ball—"Thanks for fighting."
With a disapproving look toward Michael for using a Pokémon that exceeded the challenge level agreed upon, James released Hitmonlee.
"It's time for me to step in," said James confidently as Hitmonlee positioned itself on the battlefield.
Hitmonlee began moving agilely around Snorlax searching for an opportunity to attack. "Use Low Kick!" commanded James.
Hitmonlee lunged forward and landed a powerful blow on Snorlax's legs. The giant staggered but did not fall; however, determination shone in Hitmonlee's eyes—it was ready to keep fighting.
The battle continued with Hitmonlee dodging Snorlax's heavy attacks while countering with precise kicks. After several intense rounds, Hitmonlee managed to weaken Snorlax with a devastating kick that sent it crashing down onto the ground.
James took a deep breath as he watched Snorlax collapse. He knew he had won this round but couldn't let slip the chance to criticize Michael for his unethical choice of Pokémon.
"What kind of trainer uses a Pokémon that not only exceeds the level of challenge you requested but isn't even yours?" asked James disdainfully while looking at the young challenger.
Michael grimaced as if struck by James's words. "That's not fair!" he protested while pretending to cry—"Snorlax was a gift; I can use it!"
With a sarcastic smile on his lips and ignoring the boy's fake tears, James crossed his arms. "If you want to be a champion someday you should learn to fight with your own Pokémon and respect challenge rules," he replied firmly.
As Michael walked away toward the gym exit he turned on his heels and asked: "Aren't you going to give me another chance? Aren't you going to apologize for talking to me like that?"
James looked him directly in the eyes and answered without hesitation: "No."
With those words echoing in their ears and the combat's echo still vibrating in the gym air, Michael left frustrated while James felt a mix of satisfaction and determination.
James remained in the gym arena recovering from his intense battle against Michael. As he reflected on his victory he sensed a familiar presence approaching. Giovanni appeared, his imposing figure standing out among the crowd of trainers and Pokémon moving through the gym.
"Well done, James," Giovanni said with an approving smile—"You handled that fight well and used Sandile effectively against that Snorlax."
James felt a mix of pride and surprise at the compliment; he hadn't expected Giovanni to stop by to praise him. "Thank you, boss," he replied feeling somewhat awkward yet pleased at the same time.
"Would you like to join me for lunch?" Giovanni invited gesturing toward the gym exit with a wave of his hand.
James hesitated for a moment; sharing a meal with Giovanni—a character so enigmatic and powerful—felt somewhat intimidating. However, he decided to accept the invitation. "Sure, I'd love to," he finally responded.
As they headed toward the exit Matori appeared beside them with a professional smile. "James let me take Sandile so I can take him to the Pokémon Center for healing," she said extending her hand for the Poké Ball that James offered her.
James nodded handing over the sphere feeling slight concern for his partner but trusting that everything would be fine in Pokémon Center's hands.
Giovanni led James into a small house adjacent to the gymnasium. Upon entering there was an immediate change in atmosphere; walls were adorned with family photographs and mementos from past moments. In the center of room stood a table set up for a simple yet cozy lunch.
"I want you to meet Ariana," Giovanni said gently calling for his partner.
Ariana appeared at the door with a warm smile; she was a woman with red hair and eyes radiating tranquility. At that moment James recognized her as one of Team Rocket's executives from Generation II games.
"Hello James," she greeted him in friendly tone—"Giovanni has told me much about you."
Before James could respond a small whirlwind burst into room running like lightning—a red-haired boy about three years old dashed in followed closely by an exuberant male Nidoran bouncing happily beside him.
"Dad! Look!" shouted the boy excitedly running up to Giovanni—"I got a Nidoran! Mom gave it to me!"
Giovanni knelt down embracing his little boy affectionately. "Hello Silver," he said tenderly—"This is James, my friend."
Silver looked at James curiously asking: "Are you a strong trainer?"
James smiled at the innocent question from the child responding kindly: "I'm not sure what 'strong' means but I consider myself good at what I do."
The boy nodded slowly as if processing this information before opening his mouth readying more questions; however Ariana sweetly interrupted: "Come on Silver it's time to wash your hands and face before eating."
With that Ariana took her little one by hand leading him out of room. James watched them leave then turned back towards Giovanni.
"I didn't expect you had a son," James said sincerely.
Giovanni sighed slightly before replying: "It's not common knowledge; I've done my best to keep it secret—I don't want anyone harming Silver. Outside of me and Ariana only a few trusted people know I have a child."
James nodded understandingly grasping weight behind Giovanni's words; life as Team Rocket leader—and Viridian Gym leader—was filled with dangers and secrets protecting family was paramount importance. He still wasn't sure whether or not inform Alliance about Giovanni being Team Rocket leader since Team Rocket didn't seem so evil as portrayed in games—and this revelation made him doubt even more.
As they waited for Ariana and Silver's return James felt like he'd learned something valuable about Giovanni: behind this man feared by many also lay loving father willing do whatever necessary protect what mattered most—to him family.
He truly hadn't expected Silver—the rival character from Generation II games—to be Giovanni's son; once again regretting not paying closer attention during Pokémon lore lessons.
Finally Ariana returned along with Silver back into room—the child's cheeks were rosy-bright after washing up.
"I'm ready now!" announced Silver bouncing toward table eagerly.