163. Kai vs Andrew -2

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The scenes Gyarados created and the raw strength it displayed left a deep impression on the audience. Even in the Indigo league's official "My Favorite Pokémon" poll, Gyarados came in first, far ahead of the second-place Gardevoir by over 10,000 votes.

On the battlefield, Rhyhorn may have impressive power, but its unevolved form is no pushover.

Known for its immense physical strength, Rhyhorn's bones are said to be a thousand times harder than a human's, allowing it to smash through buildings with a single charge.

However, due to its short, stocky legs, Rhyhorn struggles with turning while running and can only charge straight ahead.

Its limited brain capacity also means it can only focus on one thing at a time, often leaving it to run wildly until its energy is completely spent.

When facing a Rhyhorn, Gyarados not only had the advantage in type but also in raw power. With Rhyhorn's Rock and Ground typing making it four times weak to Water, the odds were heavily stacked against it.

Andrew, Rhyhorn's trainer, was well aware of this. As the battle resumed, he made a quick decision, calling out his first command.

"Rhyhorn, use Slam!"

At the order, Rhyhorn charged forward with the force of a tank, its powerful legs pounding the ground and shaking the entire battlefield as it barreled toward Gyarados.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Despite Rhyhorn's determination, Gyarados wasn't known for its speed on land. Kai made a calculated choice not to waste energy dodging. Instead, he prepared Gyarados to counter the attack head-on.

"Gyarados, stop it with Hydro Pump!"

Gyarados opened its massive maw and unleashed a powerful torrent of water, slamming into Rhyhorn's face.

But even as the Hydro Pump struck, Rhyhorn powered through, its momentum unbroken. With a mighty leap, it rammed its sharp horn into Gyarados' body.

"Gyaaaah!"

Gyarados roared in pain, staggering backwards. It nearly fell, but its quick reflexes allowed it to stabilize itself with its tail.

Kai frowned as he analyzed the situation. While Rhyhorn had suffered from recoil damage, the attack had clearly inflicted more pain on Gyarados than expected. A realization struck him.

"So that's it. Your Rhyhorn's ability is Reckless," Kai said, piecing the puzzle together.

Andrew smirked, impressed. "You're sharp. That's right Reckless increases the power of moves like Slam, Double-Edge, and Wild Charge at the cost of recoil. It's a high-risk, high-reward strategy."

The audience couldn't hear their exchange, but Lance, who was providing commentary, quickly explained.

"The Reckless ability boosts the damage of moves with recoil at the cost of the user taking more damage. This is why Gyarados struggled to withstand Rhyhorn's attack."

The host nodded in understanding. "I see! But can Rhyhorn use this advantage to turn the battle around?"

Lance shook his head. "It's unlikely. The type disadvantage is too significant, and Kai won't let Rhyhorn get another chance to land a clean hit."

As the battle continued, Kai adapted his strategy. Gyarados stayed close to Rhyhorn, tangling with it and preventing it from building up momentum for another Slam.

Andrew grew increasingly desperate as his options dwindled. "Rhyhorn, use Earthquake!"

Rhyhorn stomped the ground, sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. The arena shook violently, and Gyarados struggled to maintain its balance.

"Gyarados, Aqua Tail!" Kai commanded.

Gyarados spun, its tail cloaked in swirling water, and struck Rhyhorn with immense force. The move dealt four times the usual damage due to the type of matchup, leaving Rhyhorn reeling.

Rhyhorn's health was critically low after enduring multiple Water-type attacks. Andrew reluctantly reached for his Poké Ball to recall his Pokémon, but Kai anticipated the move.

"Gyarados, don't let it escape! Wrap it up!"

Gyarados' serpentine body coiled tightly around Rhyhorn, preventing it from being recalled into its Poké Ball. The crowd erupted in cheers as Kai seized control of the match.

"It's time to finish this," Kai declared. "Gyarados, Crunch!"

Gyarados opened its jaws and bit down on Rhyhorn's lower abdomen, targeting the weak spot in its armoured body.

Rhyhorn struggled, but its strength rapidly waned under Gyarados' relentless grip. With one final, feeble attempt to escape, Rhyhorn collapsed, fainting from its injuries.

"Rhyhorn is unable to battle! Gyarados wins!" the referee announced, raising his flag.

"2-0!" the host exclaimed. "Once again, Kai dominates with his signature suffocating rhythm! Will this final end in another clean sweep?"

"Hooooooooo!!!"

"KAI!! KAI!! KAI!!"

The thunderous cheers from the audience echoed throughout the arena, sending a rush of adrenaline through Kai. His heart pounded in rhythm with the crowd's roar, a powerful reminder of why he loved these battles.

Andrew, on the other hand, felt the weight of despair. He glanced around at the roaring fans, his face pale as he realized the gap between him and his opponent.

"This was supposed to be an even fight," Andrew muttered to himself. "I fought so hard to make it to the finals… but how did I end up facing someone so overwhelming?"

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