158. I surrender

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Jim retrieved the unconscious Persian and sent out Dodrio to counter Venusaur with a type advantage.

However, Kai, understanding the stakes, refused to let Jim gain the upper hand. He sent out Jolteon instead to face Dodrio.

In terms of strength, Jim was likely on par with Gary perhaps even stronger. But now, he finally experienced the same sense of powerlessness Gary had felt when facing Kai.

The man before him had perfected the art of exploiting type advantages. Winning the first battle always ensured Kai could dictate the match's momentum and keep the upper hand.

This realization troubled Jim deeply. As expected, as the second battle unfolded, Dodrio gradually fell behind.

Dodrio, often called the "Triple Bird Pokémon," had spent years developing its powerful legs. Though a Flying type, its wings were long atrophied, and it couldn't truly fly.

While it could perform some Flying-type moves, it relied heavily on its sturdy legs for offence and endurance. However, even with its impressive stamina, Dodrio couldn't keep up with the relentless barrage of Electric-type attacks.

Jolteon's speed allowed it to dominate the field, darting around Dodrio's counters. Although Dodrio's endurance initially gave it a fighting chance, its strength steadily waned under the continuous assault. Each blow sapped its energy until its once-powerful strides faltered.

Kai, ever cautious, avoided letting Jolteon engage Dodrio in close quarters. Dodrio's three heads, each capable of independent attacks, made it a formidable opponent in melee combat.

"Jolteon, use Thunderbolt!" Kai commanded.

The decisive attack struck Dodrio with a crackling surge of electricity, leaving it battered and unable to continue. The referee declared the victory, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

While Kai's battles lacked the spectacle of Ash's recent match, they were no less exciting for the audience. For Kai's fans, his strategic and precise victories only made his success more satisfying.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer exclaimed. "Kai has once again secured a match point with a commanding 2-0 lead! Could this be another clean sweep? Let's wait and see!"

On the battlefield, Jim was unwilling to go down without a fight. Breaking into the top 16 had been no small feat, and he wasn't ready to accept elimination just yet. With determination, he recalled Dodrio and sent out his final Pokémon.

"Go, Golem!"

As the Poké Ball opened, Golem's massive, rocky form landed heavily on the battlefield with a resounding thud. Kai, unfazed, recalled Jolteon and sent out Blastoise to counter.

The matchup was grim for Golem. With its dual Rock/Ground typing, it was at a severe disadvantage against Water-type moves, which dealt quadruple damage.

Despite this, Golem displayed remarkable tenacity. Its tough exterior and powerful rolling attacks allowed it to push forward, even as Blastoise bombarded it with Water Gun and Hydro Pump.

Finally, Golem managed to get within striking distance. Wrapping its massive arms around Blastoise, it leapt into the air, spinning as it prepared to deliver a devastating Seismic Toss.

"It's going for it!" the announcer cried. "Golem is using Seismic Toss, the very move that carried it through the earlier rounds! Can it turn the tide against Kai's Blastoise?"

As the two Pokémon plummeted toward the ground, Blastoise struggled to break free. But Golem's grip was too strong.

Kai, however, remained calm.

"Blastoise, use Withdraw!"

At his command, Blastoise quickly retracted into its sturdy shell, just as Golem slammed it into the ground. The battlefield trembled from the impact, and a cloud of dust enveloped the area.

When the dust settled, Golem stood panting, its rocky form clearly battered. The crowd watched anxiously as Blastoise's shell began to move.

Moments later, the Water-type Pokémon extended its limbs and head, looking only slightly shaken.

Jim's expression faltered. This had been his trump card, and it had failed.

"Oh!" the announcer exclaimed. "Thanks to its Withdraw defence, Blastoise has shrugged off Golem's Seismic Toss! What will Jim do now?"

Realizing he had no options left, Jim sighed and raised his hand.

"I surrender," he said, his voice heavy with resignation.

"What?" The referee blinked in surprise.

"I said I surrender," Jim repeated. "There's no point in continuing. I've lost."

Jim understood that even if he miraculously defeated Blastoise, Kai still had two more Pokémon ready to fight.

There was no way for Golem to overcome those odds. Forcing his Pokémon to endure unnecessary pain was senseless.

"Jim has surrendered!" the announcer declared. "While it may lack the spirit of never giving up, it was undoubtedly a wise decision. Let's congratulate Kai on advancing to the next round!"

The stadium erupted in applause as fans waved banners and cheered for Kai's flawless victory.

In the stands, Ash watched Kai intently, clenching his fists.

Both were first-time participants in the Pokémon League, but their performances couldn't have been more different. Kai had dominated every match with strategic precision, while Ash had struggled to make it to the top 16.

As Kai left the stage, basking in the admiration of the crowd, even Misty and Brock couldn't help but cheer for him.

Ash remained silent, though he couldn't hide his envy. To defeat powerful opponents with such ease wasn't that the dream of every trainer?

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