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Before Ash could react, Kai's Crystal Steelix erupted from beneath Snorlax, launching the massive Pokémon into the air in a burst of dirt and shattered stone.
Snorlax flailed, eyes wide for the first time in panic.
"Steelix—use Iron Tail!" Kai commanded.
Steelix's crystalline tail gleamed like polished metal as it swung upward with incredible force. Snorlax tried to brace but there was nowhere to go mid-air.
"Snorlax, Protect!" Ash shouted.
A pale green barrier shimmered around Snorlax just as Steelix's tail crashed into it. The impact echoed through the stadium with a sharp crack! The barrier held but the force still sent Snorlax tumbling back, smashing through loose rocks before finally skidding to a stop in the middle of the ruined arena.
The once-solid rock field was now a wasteland of craters and rubble.
Ash clenched his fists. "We can't let it go underground again! Snorlax, Headbutt!"
Snorlax charged forward, shaking the ground with each step. The sheer weight of its body made even the stones rattle. Then, at full speed, it lowered its head and slammed straight into Steelix.
This time, Snorlax's strength won out. Steelix staggered backward with a loud metallic groan but quickly retaliated, wrapping its long, crystal body around Snorlax like a serpent.
"Snorlax, break free!" Ash yelled.
Snorlax strained with all its might, muscles bulging, but Steelix's body was far too strong. The harder Snorlax struggled, the tighter Steelix's coils became.
Ash reached for Snorlax's Poké Ball. "Return, Snorlax!"
But the recall beam couldn't reach through Steelix's body it bounced off harmlessly.
"What?!" Ash gasped. "No way!"
Steelix's grip tightened. Snorlax's face turned red as it struggled to breathe. Finally, with a roar, Steelix whipped its tail and hurled Snorlax out of the ring.
"Snorlax is unable to battle! Kai takes the win!" the announcer declared. "Ash Ketchum now has three Pokémon down! We'll take a five-minute break before the second half of the match!"
Kai smiled faintly. "Good job, Steelix." He recalled it and returned calmly to his bench, sipping some water before closing his eyes to rest.
Across the field, Ash slumped into his chair, clearly frustrated.
Brock handed him a bottle of water. "Don't get down, Ash. We knew this was going to be tough. You're doing great you've already given it your best shot."
Misty nodded. "You've wanted to beat Kai for a long time, remember? And you already took down his Dragonite. You're closer to your goal than ever, so don't give up now!"
Their encouragement steadied him. Ash exhaled slowly, eyes sharpening with determination as the break ended.
The announcer's voice boomed, "And we're back for the second half of this Silver Conference showdown! What will these two Trainers show us next?"
Ash and Kai stepped back onto the field.
Ash opened with his Noctowl the shiny one that had helped him earlier in the League. Its wings glimmered under the stadium lights.
It seemed Ash wanted to keep his final Pokémon secret for now, holding his trump card until the very end.
Noctowl had rested and recovered from paralysis, but Kai wasn't going with Jolteon this time.
He threw his next Poké Ball. "Go, Blastoise!"
Ash's eyes widened. "Blastoise?! But… Kai doesn't usually travel with that one!"
Kai chuckled. "Like your Squirtle, I rotate my team. Today's Blastoise's turn."
In the audience, Brock groaned. "He switched up his lineup again! We spent all yesterday studying his current roster, and he brings Blastoise instead?!"
Ash gritted his teeth. "Fine by me. Bring it on!"
The battle began.
Noctowl took to the skies, circling for position but to Ash's surprise, Kai had Blastoise use a strategy similar to Gary's from the previous round.
"Blastoise, Water Gun barrage!"
Twin cannons on its shell fired in rapid succession, filling the sky with streams of high-pressure water. A blue curtain of water formed, driving Noctowl back and cutting off any safe approach.
Same rocky terrain. Same defensive water barrage. But unlike Charizard, Noctowl lacked the raw power to break through.
It dodged left and right, weaving through the spray but its body was still fatigued from earlier, and the leftover stiffness from Jolteon's Thunder Wave made its movement slower.
A jet of water struck true.
"Noctowl!" Ash shouted as the bird spiraled down, drenched and struggling to regain altitude. It tried to flap its wings but they were too waterlogged to lift off.
"Finish it!" Kai ordered.
Blastoise dashed forward with surprising speed, slamming Noctowl with a Tackle before biting down with Crunch.
The referee raised a flag. "Noctowl is unable to battle! Blastoise wins!"
Ash quickly recalled Noctowl, his expression unreadable. Then he immediately threw his next Poké Ball.
"Go—Bayleef!"
The crowd cheered.
Unlike most gentle Bayleef, Ash's was fiery and stubborn always ready to fight even stronger opponents, no matter the odds.
It was the right choice. Against Blastoise, Jolteon, or Steelix, Bayleef's Grass type would finally give him an edge.
Kai smiled faintly. "Good pick. But I'm not done yet."
He reached for his final Poké Ball.
"Go—Scizor!"
The crimson Bug-Steel Pokémon landed gracefully, its metallic claws snapping open.
As its wings shimmered under the lights, the crowd roared.
Two trainers. Two rivals. One last stand.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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