Mystery unraveled

Clack Clack Clack

The sounds of footsteps responded through the walls are Rex stepped inside the gym. Elesa and the twins could already be seen walking up the stairs to the view area. They gave him one last wave before disappearing.

Rex didn't even go to the reception desk since Giovanni was already waiting for him.

The sliding doors parted swiftly revealing a dirt battlefield, there was nothing sticking out at all, it was a plain and simple battlefield. On the opposite side stood a man in a black suit. He had a white turtleneck on, his jacket had a small red 'R' on the left breast pocket.

He had short black hair and an arrogant smile commonly seen on business tycoons. This was Giovanni, the last obstacle before he could take on the Kanto league and ascended to the throne of champion.

"Ahh… Rex, I don't think we have actually met before. But I think we both know of each other. To be honest, I thought you were dead when I sent that lass Jess to kill you. To think you actually came out alive. Very impressive. You have gotten on my nerves on multiple occasions. But I don't see why we have to be enemies, after all, don't we have a common enemy?" he asked with a knowing grin on his face. a flash of viciousness went through his eyes.

Rex didn't show any expression on his face, but he was secretly surprised and slightly stunned at his words.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

Giovanni nodded slightly.

"you're willing to backstab?" he asked with an arched eyebrow.

Giovanni smiled slightly, "the question is not whether I'm willing or not, but whether I have a choice. He was planning on using you to kill me due to my incompetence in failing to kill you. He initially used me to try and get rid of you. For reasons unbeknownst to me. when I failed, he planned to use you to kill me. I had to act angry all the time, to pretend that I had no clue about anything. To be a good little puppet.

You must understand, I have no real hatred for you. You did what you had to do. I don't really want to mess with someone as strong as you."

Rex was again stunned, "fearful?"

Giovanni scoffed and shook his head slowly, "No, not due to fear, but because it took far too long to build everything I have today. I don't fear death in the slightest." He said truthfully.

"So, the mastermind behind all this intended to use us both huh?" Rex asked with a smile. Giovanni smiled as well.

"Cocky asshole," Rex stated casually.

Giovanni laughed slightly, "that he is, but he has the strength to back it up. I would be careful if I were you." He warned.

Rex didn't hide his astonishment this time. since the other party was being honest, he might as well be too.

"Why did you continue to bother me then?" he asked with slight irritation.

Giovanni smiled awkwardly, "yeah… sorry about that, I really didn't have a choice. As soon as I showed signs of insubordination, I would have been a goner. I was banking on this meeting to change the tide." He said with a shrug.

Rex cupped his chin and looked at Giovanni for a moment.

"You know… you're not so bad after all. I thought you were some arrogant bastard with a big head who thought you could take the whole world on. It seems I judged you wrongly, and I apologise for that." He said truthfully.

Giovanni waved his hand dismissively, "don't worry about it. Team rocket turned out the opposite way I intended it to be. And I have been powerless to stop it ever since. I was hoping-"

Before he could finish two pairs of footsteps could be heard from behind Rex. The latter instantly knew who it was turned around slowly, a smile on his face.

"Well-well-well, Giovanni, I didn't expect you to be such a good actor. Damn, you had me completely fooled. It seems I was the one being played from the beginning." Said the young man. Behind him stood Machamp, he was staring at Rex intently. An oppressive aura overflowed from his body and smashed down on Rex. But the latter didn't seem to feel it.

"I have to say… you really are quite the coward," Rex said calmly as he observed the Machamp.

The mystery man frowned slightly at Rex's response. This wasn't the reaction he was hoping for.

Rex naturally picked up on it, "oh, you thought I would be scared? Ha! I might have been, but I have been aware of your existence for a very long time. you can thank Ho-Oh and Lugia for that." He said casually.

The mystery man frowned even harder, "those damn birds. I knew I shouldn't have let them go." He spat.

Rex nodded, "yep, a big oversight. Very unprofessional of you, isn't it? And it was that simply oversight that has cost you your victory. If it wasn't for them, you would have won. But now… you have lost it." he said seriously, a grin on his face.

The mystery man didn't seem to care.

"What gives you such confidence boy?" he asked curiously.

Rex looked at the man with a provocative look, "you have no idea man. Not even the faintest clue. But here, I'll give you a little teaser. Meteor." He said vaguely. But instantly, both Giovanni and the mystery man's faces changed colour. they stared at Rex in horror.

"Y-you did that?" the man asked, trying to suppress the shock, fear and uneasiness that was welling up inside of him.

"Well, it was a joke between my Pokémon, sadly I went overboard. Such a waste." He said helplessly. He was using this revelation to bluff the man into hesitating while Elesa and the twins escaped. He had already told them to leave via telepathy the instant Giovanni revealed everything. He knew the mystery man would arrive.

The man had a small bead of sweat forming on the side of his head. he was slightly panicked, such power was something even he didn't have, and something he sure as hell couldn't handle. But suddenly, he regained his confidence. And a mocking look appeared on his face.

"You shouldn't be able to use this move regularly, right?" he asked.

Rex didn't panic but instead looked at the Machamp who had a knowing grin on its face.

"So, you aren't a muscle head after all, who knew?" he said mockingly. The Machamp's grin froze instantly as killing intent seeped out of him.

The mystery man laughed slightly, "My oh my, I just remembered, where are my manners? This is Umbra my best friend.

And I go by the name... Siniestro Spade.

An: Big boom! I always loved Giovanni. how could I trash on him like that? I bet you didn't expect that, did you? Also, what do you think of the name, I honestly had no clue what to go for, but this sounded good enough right? I'm eager to read your responses. love you all! until next time, catch you later!