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Compared to Ash's Charizard, Kai's Dragonite lacked battle experience. Its evolution was still fresh, and while strong, it wasn't as seasoned. Ultimately, Dragonite fell in battle.
Though disappointing, Kai accepted the loss.
He wasn't too concerned about losing a win streak every Trainer experiences defeat. Until now, his opponents had simply been too weak to challenge him. Ash's Charizard breaking that streak meant little in the grand scheme.
Kai recalled his unconscious Dragonite, then pulled another Poké Ball from his belt.
"It's Jolteon!" the announcer cried. "A great choice by Kai! Jolteon barely took damage earlier against Noctowl, and with that warm-up, it's fresh and ready to fight!"
Ash considered recalling Charizard, but the fiery dragon refused, shaking its head stubbornly. With no choice, Ash let Charizard stay in.
Unfortunately, Jolteon was more than ready. Against Charizard, who was already exhausted from its battle with Dragonite, Jolteon wasted no time. With a crackling Electric Web, it paralyzed Charizard in place. The dragon roared, then collapsed, unconscious.
The stadium gasped. Charizard had been unstoppable against Gary, but here it fell without much of a fight.
"What a shame!" the announcer exclaimed. "Charizard poured everything into defeating Dragonite, but it simply had nothing left against Jolteon. I think all of us hoped to see it keep battling, but fatigue got the better of it!"
Indeed, Charizard had won the crowd's hearts in the previous match. Many thought it would carry Ash again, but it was clear now that it wouldn't be his trump card this time. Charizard's part in this round was over.
Ash clenched a fist, then reached for his third Poké Ball. With a throw, a familiar heavyweight appeared Snorlax!
The crowd erupted.
Kai narrowed his eyes. In his mind, there were three of Ash's Pokémon that required serious caution: Pikachu, Charizard, and Snorlax.
Snorlax, despite its sleepy look, was monstrously strong. Unlike most of its kind, this one could swim and swim well. It even knew the butterfly stroke! On top of that, it was faster than the average Snorlax, making it even more dangerous.
Kai returned Jolteon, then chose a different powerhouse.
"Go, Crystal Steelix!"
The massive Pokémon erupted onto the battlefield, its body shimmering like glass, catching the sunlight in dazzling ways.
The crowd gasped in awe.
"There it is! Kai's legendary Crystal Steelix!" the announcer shouted. "We've heard rumors about this Steelix, but seeing it in person is breathtaking! Its crystal body is unlike anything seen before both beautiful and terrifying!"
Steelix bellowed, shaking the ground, then charged like a runaway train straight at Snorlax.
Snorlax remained still, almost lazy in its expression. But just as Steelix crashed into it, Snorlax planted its feet and braced. The two giants collided, sending rocks flying as the ground cracked beneath them.
"Snorlax, don't give in!" Ash shouted.
Snorlax's muscles tensed, bulging with effort. Slowly, it stopped Steelix's charge just before the arena's edge.
But Kai wasn't finished. "Steelix, Bite!"
Steelix opened its massive jaws, aiming to swallow Snorlax whole.
At the last second, Snorlax rolled aside, narrowly avoiding being chomped down.
In the stands, Brock wiped sweat from his forehead. "That was way too close… If Snorlax hadn't rolled in time, it would've been crushed inside Steelix's jaws!"
Snorlax countered immediately, swinging a fist glowing with power. Hyper Beam Punch! (Million-Ton Punch).
"Steelix, Dig!" Kai commanded.
With incredible speed, Steelix burrowed underground, dodging the attack and leaving a gaping crater.
Ash's eyes widened. "That speed… it's just like Drake's Onix back in the Orange Islands!"
He remembered that battle vividly. Onix's Dig attack had given him endless trouble back then, until Squirtle pulled off a miracle win. But this time, Snorlax didn't have the same tools.
"Now what do I do…?" Ash muttered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as the arena rumbled beneath him.
The battle had only just begun.
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